The HMV Next Big Thing, a live music festival for new artists, takes place each February.

The 2010 event saw the music giants support the launch of Ellie Goulding, Professor Green, Eliza Doolittle and Marina and the Diamonds, and the 2011 shindig is now just around the corner!

Proceedings will officially kick off on February 4 with a 'Ted Baker presents....' club night at the Relentless Garage, highlighting the fashion brand's support of music and new artists.

It will then run for over a week between February 4 - 13 at six HMV/MAMA-owned venues in London: the Borderline, Camden Barfly, Heaven, the Jazz Café, the Relentless Garage and Upstairs at the Relentless Garage. Festivities will also be staged outside of London for the first time, with gigs at Birmingham's HMV Institute and at the HMV Picturehouse in Edinburgh.

Promoters aim to showcase over one hundred new acts this time around, including 'hot for 2011' acts like Clare Maguire, Fenech-Soler, Dutch Uncles and Lauren Pritchard. Northern Irish act The Japanese Popstars will also feature on the bill. (See [link]www.hmvnextbigthing.com[/link] for the full line-up.)

Tickets are again priced £10, and will go on general sale at 9am, Friday December 3. Buy online at [link]www.hmvnextbigthing.com[/link], by phone to the hmvtickets call centre on 0843 221 0100 or in person at hmvtickets box offices at selected HMV stores nationwide.