A chance for young musicians

Hamilton is set to give budding musicians the chance to showcase their talents next month.

Hamilton Business Improvement District (BID) will host their first music event in a bid to celebrate local talent.

And Hamilton Street Sound Saturday will be held on July 28 between 11am and 5pm.

There will be a stage set up on the top cross at Quarry Street, a small stage near Frankie and Benny’s and a gazebo on Campbell Street close to the Stonehouse Bar.

Gareth Walker, BID manager, said:“we want to celebrate local music talent and would encourage shoppers and visitors to come along and support our event.

“We will have a range of professional acoustic acts playing throughout the day.

“We are also running a Battle of the Bands competition during the afternoon.

“We are looking for solo singers and bands to send in their demo tapes, CD, or a link to their band page or Facebook page. We will then get a shortlist of five acts for the afternoon.

“If they don’t have a tape, they can shoot a two-minute video on their phones.

“Each of the acts would then play a 15-minute set live on stage with cash prizes for the top three acts.

“The Battle of the Bands showcase in the afternoon gives acts a brilliant opportunity to perform on stage outdoors in front of a live audience with the added attraction of winning a top cash prize.”

First prize winners in the competition will receive £500, second prize £250 and third prize £100.

If you are a solo act or member of a band, you can send material to info@hamiltonbid.org or Hamilton BID, Brandongate, 1 Leechlee Road, Hamilton.

The closing date for entries is July 5.

Finalists will take to the stage between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, July 28, in Quarry Street, Hamilton.