Around 30,000 fans are expected to visit Crow Nest Park for a weekend of music in August and local talent has the chance to share the limelight with a Battle of the Bands competition.

Concerts in the Park runs over August 22 and 23, with the second day - called Party in the Park - dedicated to sell-out famous bands and local talent.

The headline act has yet to be announced, but organiser Kirklees Council promises crowds won't be disappointed.

Local talent can get a piece of the action thanks to music magazine ALIVE and HD1 Studios.

They hope to find four of the region's most talented bands to warm-up the masses for the big names, who are due to be announced at the start of July.

Heat gigs will take place in Dewsbury and Huddersfield and at least one band member must live in Kirklees to compete.

The local talent will be judged by ALIVE magazine staff and other music industry judges. Two bands from each heat will then go on to perform a 20 minute set at Party in the Park on August 23.

Local bands Buen Chico, Project Sunset and Northern Beats took to the stage for last year's Party in the Park, which was held in Huddersfield, ahead of major artists the Guillemots, Elliot Minor and The Script.

This year's headliners are promised to be even bigger and better.
Steve Barr from ALIVE Magazine, said: "We're really pleased to be working with Kirklees Council on this year's Party in the Park and providing an opportunity for local bands to perform.

"There are loads of great bands in Kirklees and I have no doubt that the prospect of performing at this gig will cause a lot of excitement amongst them. Entries need to be in by July 17 so spread the word and send us your details!"

HOW TO ENTER

To enter Battle of the Bands, email battleofthebands@alive.co.uk with a web link (MySpace etc) to at least two of your recorded tracks (these must be originals) plus a biography and a minimum of two photographs of the band.

Include details of where the band members live - at least one member must live within Kirklees. Bands must send a link to the photos and recordings and not attach them to the email.

Bands can also submit the information in hard format to ALIVE, Battle of the Bands, 80 New North Road, Huddersfield, HD1 5NE.

Closing date for entry is Friday 17th July.

From the bands that enter, eight will be chosen to play at the heat gigs in early August - venues are to be confirmed.

The local music industry judges will then choose the four winners who will go through to play at Party in the Park.

Further details available from www.alive.co.uk/battleofthebands.