LOCAL bands who think they have the talent and charisma to be the next big thing are being invited to enter this year’s Selby Battle Of The Bands competition.

Now in its sixth year, Selby Town Hall’s annual battle of the bands competition for young musicians features the district’s finest school and college-age acts battling it out in front of capacity crowds.

Winners then get paid to perform at Selby’s Family Fun Day concert and represent the district in a North Yorkshire-wide competition.

Selby Town Council arts officer Chris Jones said the competition gave bands the opportunity to play in front of a crowd and get some real experience of gigging. He added that it could also be their big break.

Chris said: “The town hall’s battle of the bands competition has created a fantastic platform for young bands over the last six years, giving a new generation of potential rock megastars the opportunity to perform to sell out crowds in a professional environment.

“The shows have provided some really memorable moments and are now a firm fixture in the town’s musical calendar – tickets for last year’s final sold out in just 12 hours. It’s a great opportunity for any young band, so fill out an entry form and get practising.”

Entries are now open and bands of all genres can take part, with the ten selected competitors earning a place in April and May’s heats for a chance to compete for the ultimate prize in June’s grand final.

Previous winners have gone on to play alongside the likes of The Pigeon Detectives and The Wombats in their home town, while last year’s victors, Sherburn-based indie-popsters Leonard’s Revenge, beat off competition from across the county to triumph at the annual Cultureshock youth festival as they were crowned champions of North Yorkshire.

Entry forms are available to download from www.townhallgigs.co.uk and should be returned to the town hall by the closing date of March 8.