Valerie calls on live bands and live music venues to enter national competition

Valerie Vaz MP is proud to invite nominations from within Walsall South, to be considered for the best live band and best live music venue awards of the first ever parliamentary Rock the House competition.

Rock the House is an accessible vehicle through which to capture the imagination of the public and legislators in recognition of the need to support and promote the live music sector. It aims to promote the intellectual property rights of unsigned and up and coming musicians; and highlight the importance of live music venues to local communities.

Valerie Vaz MP will nominate one band and one live music venue Walsall South on 31 March 2011. Any band or live music venue can enter the competition by downloading and completing an application form from www.rockthehouse.me.uk and send fully completed submissions to Valerie Vaz MP at [email protected] by 31^st March.

Finalists and winners will be determined by an independent judging panel, which includes Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Future Publishing, musicians and music professionals, Mike Weatherley MP and John Robertson MP (Chair of the APPG on Music).

The Panel will determine the five finalists in each category, and the shortlist will be announced by the end of May 2011. Each of the finalists will be invited to a star studded reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons, on 30^th June 2011, where the winners will be announced.

The sponsors and supporters have pulled together an unbelievable array of prizes, many of which money can’t buy, including: the chance to perform live on the terrace at the House of Commons and at a top music venue or a music festival; a photo shoot with an internationally published music photographer; Yamaha gear and instruments; the chance to network and have consultancy sessions with top industry professionals; master classes from top sound and lighting engineers; the opportunity to record music; the chance to make a music video; invaluable PR exposure through coverage in Future Publishing’s catalogue of specialist music titles; and many more runners up prizes.

 
Rock the House is supported by a myriad of big names within the international and British music sector: Yamaha music; UK Music; Future Publishing; BPI; Live Nation; Consumer

Focus; Music Managers Forum (MMF); Incorporated Society of Musicians; MVPA; the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music); and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pubs & Clubs (APPG on Pubs & Clubs).

Valerie Vaz MP said: “I am delighted to support this competition.  I hope that bands and venues across Walsall South will get involved and show off the local musical talent and enterprise.  Music is culturally and economically vital to our country and it is important that musicians are supported.  I am certain there is a wealth of local talent and look forward to hearing the responses.”