Your chance to play Oban Live

OBAN Unsigned, in association with Oban Live and The Oban Times, is back searching for a local band or artist to play at this year’s two-day music festival, with entries opening next week on March 1.

The winner will join an impressive list of musicians on the line-up, from award-winning acts Skerryvore and Skipinnish to Ireland’s hottest band Hermitage Green. And more acts are still to be announced.

Thousands of visitors are expected to return to Argyll’s biggest open-air live music event at Mossfield Stadium in Oban, June 8 and 9.

Last year’s Oban Unsigned winners were rap duo K9 Kev and Rory O’B. Kevin Irvine and Rory O’Byrne, who both hail from the town, quickly became the talk of the event, kick-starting the party on the Saturday with crowd-jumping performances of tracks from their EP Vocal Heroes, as well as songs they had written over the past decade.

Speaking in one of Oban Live’s #10DAYS campaign films, Rory O’Byrne said: ‘We’d like to say thanks to Oban Live, as the opportunity has benefited us greatly. It was such a great opportunity. It was massive for us. It gave us great exposure playing in front of loads of people. The sound was absolutely fantastic. We got to meet loads of amazing people and got some gigs out of it. We even sold some CDs too!’

K9 Kev added: ‘The whole experience was amazing, from start to finish – from communication with the guys who run it to the sound people ... just the whole experience was the best gig we’ve ever played, 100 per cent.’

He added: ‘It’s great for the town and for local musicians. We’d like to thank Oban Live for taking the time to have us.’

If you think you have what it takes to take to the Oban Live stage this summer, see The Oban Times next Thursday, March 1, for full details on how to apply and competition terms and conditions.

Tickets for the event are on sale now. Visit www.obanlive. com.