Best unsigned bands feature in showcases
The best unsigned bands from across Shropshire will feature in a series of showcases planned at the end of June.
#ShropshireUnsigned will shine the spotlight on bands from all genres.
It will play out at two venues: the Shrewsbury Food Festival, on June 29 and 30, in The Quarry Park, and at Walker Theatre, in Theatre Severn, on June 30.
Shrewsbury Food Festival will feature live, unsigned music throughout the day.
Event chief executive Beth Heath said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the best local acts onto our Armoury Stage at the Shrewsbury Food Festival.
"The event is being supported by The Armoury, in Victoria Quay, which was keen to promote the best of unsigned talent.
"Shrewsbury Food Festival is the perfect venue for such a showcase.
"We'll have thousands of people passing through The Quarry that weekend.
"They'll be relaxed and looking for a good time, while they enjoy great local produce and hot food from Shropshire vendors.
"So what better than a stage devoted to unsigned music. They can eat, drink, relax and chat with their friends, while watching a selection of great local acts."
The second phase of #ShropshireUnsigned will take place at the Walker Theatre on the evening of June 30, when BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins will host and DJ a showcase event.
#ShropshireUnsigned will feature Fight the Bear, Arcade Parade, Fight The Dice and Portlights.
The bands have been hand-picked by broadcasters and writers at the Shropshire Star and BBC Radio Shropshire, who have their fingers on the pulse of the local music scene.
Fight The Bear are one of the county's best-established unsigned bands and will release a new album later this year.
Arcade Parade were the winners of the Shropshire's Next Big Thing competition in 2012 and have released two EPs.
Fight The Dice have caused a stir on YouTube with a series of video releases while Portlights have just returned from a national tour and have a whopping 30,000 Twitter followers.
Tickets for the Shrewsbury Food Festival are available, priced £1 for under-16s, £5 for adults and £10 for families at www.shrewsburyfoodfestival.co.uk.
Tickets for the Walker Theatre showcase are available, priced £5 in advance, from www.theatresevern.co.uk or by calling (01743) 281281.
