Play On The Day hots up!

Last week we brought you details of the Play On The Day competition that could see you and your band grace the main stage this Arthur's Day September 22.

The response so far has been huge with over hundreds of applications already entered. Haven't put your name forward yet? Don't panic, as entries are still being accepted until the closing date of Friday August 12, so make sure to get yours in sharpish to [link]www.hotpress.com/playontheday[/link]. This is an incredible opportunity for a band to make a name for itself by taking to the stage at the Guinness Storehouse in September.

100 acts will be shortlisted over the four regions of the country. Following that, a track from each of the short-listed bands will be made available on the Guinness Arthur's Day Play on the Day website. Over an eight day period, members of the public will vote for their favourite tracks in each region. Following the public vote, the top four bands in each region will go forward to the Live Regional Finals, scheduled for September 7 and 8 in venues around Ireland – following which four Regional Winners will be announced.

The Regional Winners will go forward to the Grand Final, a week later. The National Winner of the ultimate Guinness Arthur's Day Play On The Day prize package will be selected at the final by the judges – with the winner going on to play the MAIN STAGE at the GUINNESS HOP STORE, on Arthur's Day.

The judges for Guinness Arthur's Day Play on the Day will include: Dan Hegarty, Cormac Battle, Jenny Huston (RTÉ 2fm) and Mark McCabe (RTÉ 2XM); Niall Stokes, Stuart Clark, Celina Murphy, Jackie Hayden, Róisín Dwyer, Olaf Tyaransen and Colm O'Hare (Hot Press).

Guinness, Hot Press and RTÉ 2fm have put together a brilliant prize package, worth well in excess of €10,000 to the winner.

NATIONAL WINNER'S PRIZE PACKAGE will include:

• The opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Guinness Hop Store on Arthur's Day

• A full three-day recording session with a senior Record Producer, in RTÉ studios

• A special Flip Cover of Hot Press including a full professional photo session and interview

• A label to release the single, with no strings attached

• A place for a band member/manager on Hot Press' MIX course including consultation with industry experts

• €4,000 worth of Guitars from FENDER

• €4,000 worth of Drums & Keyboards from YAMAHA

• €3,000 Gift Voucher from WALTON'S MUSIC

REGIONAL WINNERS' PRIZE PACKAGE will include:

• To join the line-up for Arthur's Day in one of four locations across Ireland

• An in-studio session for broadcast by RTÉ 2fm, to stream on hotpress.com and for the band's own use

• To feature on a special flip cover of Hot Press including full professional photo session and interview

So what are you waiting for? Get those entries sent to [link]www.hotpress.com/playontheday[/link] now! Please note, all applicants must be aged 18 years or over.