Don Foster MP is backing the second annual Parliamentary live music competition, Rock the House, and is inviting under-18s, solo artists, bands and live music venues in Bath to write and nominate themselves.
The competition was founded by Mike Weatherley MP in support of the UK live music sector to raise the profile of intellectual property rights issues and counts rock legends Alice Cooper and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan as Patrons.
Musicians and live music venues within the Bath constituency can find all forms and information on the competition at http://www.rockthehouse2012.com and can send in their nominations to Don Foster MP at [email protected].
Any musicians outside the Bath constituency can still write to their MP to nominate themselves to take part.
Prizes include music equipment; a chance to play at high profile festivals; and mingle with the great and the good of the music industry. Successful nominees will go forward to the national competition which will be judged by a panel of international music industry experts and musicians and the finalists will be announced on Friday 18th May. The finalists will take part in a battle of the bands to determine the winner on Wednesday 30th May and the winner in each category will perform live at a final competition reception on the Terrace at the House of Commons in the evening.
Commenting on the importance of live music in the UK, Don Foster MP, said: “I know there are many talented musicians in the city, and I would urge all performers and live music venues to fill in an application and send it to me. The recognition and contacts entrants can get from taking part is priceless and it would be great to cement Bath’s place on the map for its artistic talent.”
“We have a wealth of musical talent in the UK and it is important parliamentarians do all we can to help live performers. In addition to this competition, my Live Music Bill is progressing nicely through parliament and its passage into law will allow our small venues to put on music without the hassle of red-tape.
“Previous licensing laws made it nigh on impossible for small venues to put on live entertainment, but the Live Music Bill will give both our pub and music industries a welcome boost.”
Founder, Mike Weatherley MP, said: “The UK has a world-leading music and creative industry and this competition aims to celebrate the very best up-and-coming artists; and to raise the profile of intellectual property rights among politicians. I urge all unsigned musicians to fill in an application form for Rock the House and send a copy of their music to their MP.“
