Local unsigned bands and acts are being given the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at this year’s Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend.
The Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend is one of the firm favourites in the Cardiff Festival programme, bringing together three days of free live music, mixing new acts with established chart toppers.
This year, the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend takes place on Friday, August 5 until Sunday, August 7.
The Big Gig 2011 is a brand new competition, which will give performers the chance to be the opening act at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend on Sunday, August 7.
Bands will compete against each other for the ultimate prize of performing in front of thousands in the heart of the Civic Centre in Cardiff.
The competition opens on Friday, May 27 and future Manic Street Preachers and Marina and the Diamonds can apply via www.cardiff-festival.com; closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday, June 24.
The Big Gig competition is being run by Cardiff Council in partnership with Nation Radio and Under Construction Festival.
The competition opens on May 27 and anyone wishing to apply needs to fill out an online form at www.cardiff-festival.com and send in two tracks of them performing at least one original track.
The entries will be whittled down and split into two groups, under 18s and over 18s. On July 12, the under 18s will compete against each other and on July 13 the over 18 acts will perform against each other at the Globe Music Venue in Cardiff.
The six best acts over the two nights will then go through to the Big Gig final and compete against each other on July 14 to be crowed the Big Gig Winner 2011, with the winning act performing at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend.
All finals take place at the Globe Music Venue with tickets prices at £5 per night and £3.50 for concessions. The competition will be judged by representatives from Swn Festival, Nation Radio and Cardiff Council.
The winners of the youth and over 18s finals will also record a track at Nation Radio’s studio, and their song will be played on air.
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend has always been a champion of new music and local artists so I am delighted that this year we have introduced the Big Gig to the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend. I hope this year will be the first of many Big Gigs.
“The competition provides a fantastic opportunity for one lucky unsigned act to perform in front of thousands and develop a new fan base. I am looking forward to hearing the new music from a variety of acts from South Wales.”
