Unsigned band to open for Snow Patrol at MEN Arena

One unsigned band are to get the opportunity to kick-start their career in music by opening for Snow Patrol at one of the biggest charity gigs of the year.

The Versus Cancer event, which is organised by former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke, has become one of the highlights of the Manchester music calendar since it was first staged in 2006.

This year's gig is scheduled for December 12th at the MEN Arena, with Snow Patrol, Happy Mondays and ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook among the acts already confirmed.

However, the first band to play will not be such a household name, as organisers are holding a competition to find a good unsigned band to open the show.

Bands interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to further their fledgling career in music need only to send an mp3 of their demo or a link to their MySpace page to organisers and wait to see if they are selected.

Versus Cancer ran a similar contest in 2007 and The Scratch opened a bill that featured Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, The Charlatans, Ian Brown and Echo & the Bunnymen.

By Neil Hill