Almost 2,000 people have cast votes in the Shropshire Star’s online poll for the Battle of Bands – with the votes closing at midday tomorrow.
The voters will help choose who goes through to the grand final of the competition, which will be held at Shrewsbury’s Buttermarket on March 30.

But bands who play in a Best Of The Rest Night on March 23 also stand to win prizes. A £100 prize is on offer to the best individual performer, irrespective of which night they play.

Competition spokesman James Shaw said: “We’re delighted with the response to our online poll.

“More than 1,200 votes were cast in the first 48 hours. We’re expecting that figure to rise substantially. Readers have until noon tomorrow to vote.

“We’d urge them to visit www.shropshirestar.com/battle so they can listen to music from the 10 shortlisted bands.

“Considering these bands are all unsigned, the quality of the music is astonishing. ”

Bands are competing for a £6,000 prize pool, which includes musical instruments, CDs, studio time, a photo shoot and a chance to play to 5,000 fans during an open air gig at The Quarry, in Shrewsbury, in July.

Mr Shaw said: “The prizes available in the Shropshire Star’s Battle of the Bands are phenomenal. They could put one local band on the path to success.

“It’s up to readers to tell us who they like.”

Which of the five bands has reached the grand final and which will be playing the Best of the Rest night will be revealed on the Shropshire Star next Thursday, March 27.

The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The competition is sponsored by Salop Music Centre, Wolf At Your Door Records, Soundscape Studios, Telford FM and Indieco.

Competition sponsors:

Shropshire Music Centre – the main sponsors, offering £3,000 of band equipment www.salopmusic.co.uk

Telford FM -supporting and highlighting the entrants www.telfordfm.co.uk

A Wolf at Your Door Records – offering 100 demo discs and advice www.wolfatyourdoor.com

Soundscape Studios – offering four hours studio time http://soundscape-studios.co.uk

The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury – venue for the Battle Of The Bands finals www.buttermarket.com