Adrian Sanders to nominate Torbay’s best live band and music venue for UK competition

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is inviting applications from bands and music venues in Torquay and Paignton, to be considered for the first ever parliamentary Rock the House competition.

Rock the House is an accessible vehicle through which to capture the imagination of the public and legislators in recognition of the need to support and promote the live music sector. It aims to promote the intellectual property rights of unsigned and up and coming musicians; and highlight the importance of live music venues to local communities.

Adrian will nominate one band and one live music venue from Torbay (encompassing postcode prefixes TQ1 to TQ4) on March 31. Any band or live music venue can enter the competition by downloading and completing an application form from www.rockthehouse.me.uk and send fully completed submissions to Adrian Sanders MP at sandersa@parliament.uk by March 31.

Finalists and winners will be determined by an independent judging panel, which includes Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Future Publishing, musicians and music professionals, Mike Weatherley MP and John Robertson MP (Chair of the APPG on Music).

The Panel will determine the five finalists in each category, and the shortlist will be announced by the end of May 2011. Each of the finalists will be invited to a star studded reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons, on June 30, where the winners will be announced.

The sponsors and supporters have pulled together an unbelievable array of prizes including: the chance to perform live on the terrace at the House of Commons and at a top music venue or a music festival; a photo shoot with an internationally published music photographer; Yamaha gear and instruments; the chance to network and have consultancy sessions with top industry professionals; master classes from top sound and lighting engineers; the opportunity to record music; the chance to make a music video; invaluable PR exposure through coverage in Future Publishing’s catalogue of specialist music titles; and many more runners up prizes.

Rock the House is supported by a myriad of big names within the international and British music sector: Yamaha music; UK Music; Future Publishing; BPI; Live Nation; Consumer Focus; Music Managers Forum (MMF); Incorporated Society of Musicians; MVPA; the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music); and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pubs & Clubs (APPG on Pubs & Clubs).

Adrian said: “Torbay and South Devon have a great record in producing excellent local bands and artists, but sadly not all of them get the recognition and success they deserve.  This is a great opportunity for local bands and I would encourage anyone interested to apply.”