UNSIGNED artists are being given a chance to win a slot to perform at the Larmer Tree Festival.

Applications are open for the Breakthrough Music Awards.

Performance slots will be given to the winning two unsigned acts.

The competition is open to unsigned bands and singer-songwriters. The deadline for applications is Sunday

The winners will perform at Larmer Tree Festival, which runs from July 18-21, on the bill alongside acts including Kate Tempest, Jack Savoretti, The Cat Empire, Gomez, The Shires and KT Tunstall.

The awards aim to uncover the best in unsigned musical talent, with two slots on offer to perform at Larmer Tree Festival this July, one for a band and one for a singer-songwriter.

The entries will be whittled down to a shortlist before being put to an online public vote.

The final will take place on Friday, April 26, in the Winchester Gate, Salisbury, with the finalists battling it out in front of a live audience and a panel of industry professionals.

This year the judging panel will include Charlie Hearn, music booker for Larmer Tree Festival; Emma Hughes, bassist and backing vocalist for Kate Nash and owner of Salisbury-based charity Music Over Matter UK, and Paul Smith, owner of Vinyl Collectors and Sellers based in the Cross Keys shopping centre.

Colin Holton of Salisbury Live will be returning to produce the 2019 Awards.

He said: β€œIt’s fantastic that Salisbury Live has been asked to oversee the Breakthrough Music Awards again. Last year was an absolute blast, and if this years entries are anything like last year then we are in for some fantastic music and some tough deliberation. Bring it on.”

Go to larmertreefestical.co.uk for more information.