2011 City Showcase: Spotlight London

Since 2003, City Showcase has been nurturing new music talent and giving some of today's leading artists their first major break. City Showcase submissions are open to ALL artists worldwide and there are at least two slots reserved for Sonicbids artists.

One slot is specifically reserved for a Sonicbids North American artist, who will also receive $1000 as a travel stipend to help with the travel costs. Last year City Showcase: Spotlight London selected 17 Sonicbids artists. The event covers all types of music from classical to pop, from rock to urban. And all types of performers, from bands to singer songwriters, from solo artists to DJ's./n/nSince 2003, City Showcase has been nurturing new music talent and giving some of today's leading artists their first major break. Now the search has begun for the new generation of City Showcase artists.

City Showcase submissions through Sonicbids are open to ALL artists from all over the world and there are at least two slots reserved for Sonicbids artists. One slot is specifically reserved for a Sonicbids North American artist, who will also receive $1000 as a travel stipend to help with the travel costs. Last year City Showcase: Spotlight London selected 17 Sonicbids artists. The event covers all types of music from classical to pop, from rock to urban. And all types of performers from bands to singer songwriters, from solo artists to DJ's.

Performers and bands who take part in City Showcase: Spotlight London will be performing in the shops, stores and music venues of London's West End, in front of talent scouts, industry execs and the capital's most discerning music fans.

City Showcase events provide unique opportunities for musicians and artists to grow a loyal fanbase and gain valuable experience performing before a live audience. Amy Winehouse, Keane, Gabrielle Cilmi, Ray LaMontagne, Razorlight, Mr Hudson, Laura Marling, N-Dubz and Scouting for Girls are just some of a growing list of alumni who performed their first live gigs on a City Showcase stage. Keane says about their experience at City Showcase: "It's hard to get anywhere as a band, and the City Showcase gig we played at the Islington Academy in February 2003 was a great opportunity for us to play on a bigger stage than we were used to. At that time we didn't have a record deal, so knowing there was no hope of tour support(!), every decent gig we were offered was a godsend and helped make us a better band."

City Showcase Director Nanette Rigg says they are the two things musicians can't easily achieve for themselves: "Time and time again we see great artists who just need the confidence to move on to the next phase of their career. City Showcase gives them that confidence by providing a stage and a nurturing performance environment. Within a short time, their confidence levels are soaring and they're commanding the ear of the industry.

"For City Showcase: Spotlight London, we host a unique combination of daytime gigs in top West End fashion stores and evening gigs in established live music venues. We provide a focal point for London's new music fans, and a tried-and-tested space for industry A&R to drop by in search of the next big thing."

Please note: Selected artists will be responsible for all associated costs, travel and visas (where required) and must have a valid passport. There will be about one month from the notification date to the start of the festival for selected artists to make travel arrangements (where relevant).