The Cellars at Eastney and Express FM have teamed up to find the cream of Portsmouth’s considerable song-writing talent. Across three nights in August (17th, 18th and 19th), up to 18 of the best entries will perform a four song set in front of an invited audience, their peers and judges. The winning song-writer from each heat will submit one of their songs to be sent to the former Managing Director of EMI Records UK, Neil Ferris, plus two internationally recognised songwriters, who will select an overall winner.

Unlike other ‘battle of the bands’ or ‘showcase’ style events, the voting will be carefully structured so that it has nothing to do with who brings the most supporters. Each songwriter who makes it through to the live semi-finals, will be obligated to bring six people with them. These 6 people will not be judging the songs of the person who brings them, but will instead be judging the other performers. Similarly, the artists themselves will be judging each other. These two groups will make up one third of the votes each. The final third will come from a panel of judges. Only the winner will be announced on each night, there will be no minor places awarded.

In addition to taking part in an event, which is intended to acknowledge that Portsmouth is indeed a place of musical excellence and receiving validation from one of the industry’s most experienced and respected music managers, all the semi-finalists will receive air-play on Express FM and the three semi-final winners will receive extended airplay in September. The three winning semi-finalists will also be invited to perform at Gunwharf Quays’ Chilled Sessions on 23rd August, an event hosted by Express FM. The overall winner will be announced at this event and they will receive a trophy from Cellars owner Steve Pitt and Simon Gibbons, Station Manager at Express FM.

Entry to the semi-final events (including for the songwriter’s 6 guests), will be subject to a nominal £1 per person charge. Additional interested supporters may attend, but they will be excluded from the judging process.

So if you live in the PO1 to PO17 postcodes get involved. The full rules and all other information can be found on the Facebook event.