City Showcase searching for new bands for 2010

Unsigned bands hoping to make a career in music will be given the opportunity to show off their talents at the City Showcase 2010 in London.

Organisers of the event are hoping to fill stages at more than 25 venues with new acts between May 6th and 8th, as they search for the best emerging talent in the country.

Acts such as Razorlight, Amy Winehouse, Scouting for Girls and Lady Sovereign took part in the event during the early stages of their careers in music and some now established bands believe it helped them to get noticed.

Keane played at the City Showcase in 2003, a year before their chart-topping debut album was released, and described it as a rare opportunity for a new band to enjoy the experience of playing on a big stage.

"At that time we didn't have a record deal, so knowing there was no hope of tour support, every decent gig we were offered was a godsend and helped make us a better band," they said.

Acts selected to take part this year will be able to benefit from a similar experience, as well as from the selection of music workshops which run alongside the gigs.

By Neil Hill