Ö÷²¥´óÐã

We all need to catch a break in life at some point or other. If you're looking to get your music noticed, entering a competition could be just the ticket.

The 'Battle of the Bands' concept goes way back and the chances are you either went to one or played at one when you were at school (see , ). At my school, it was called the Band Bash and I played guitar in a band named Button Moon (claim to pop fame: Bloc Party's drummer Matt Tong was our bassist).

If you missed out on this great rock 'n' roll tradition and are currently feeling like you've been living under a rock, go and watch , then set up your own contest locally. In the words of the great Jim Morrison in Wayne's World 2 - if you build it, they will come.

In the age of the Interweb and (whisper it) X Factor, the Battle of the Bands has inevitably evolved and there are now loads of national competitions open to unsigned and emerging artists that you can enter via the net. Nowadays, there's a lot at stake, too. Gone are the days when the winning band might take home a case of beer and a set of strings; today you could bag yourself anything from a recording deal to a support slot on a national tour. Some competitions are are even .

So, inspired by a comment we received on the site recently, here's a handful of high profile competitions that are currently accepting entries from unsigned artists:

Prize: A 12-date tour supporting VV Brown, studio time to record your winning track and a digital release with Island Records
How it works: If the track you submit makes the cut, you'll bag a spot at one of five regional showdowns (Glasgow, York, Liverpool, Cardiff and London) where you must perform a cover from the back catalogue. Win there and you'll be going toe-to-toe with four other finalists in a public vote, with Metro readers picking the ultimate victor in October.
How to enter: Register and upload a track at
Closing date: 18 September 2009 (blimey, that's TOMORROW - TODAY) Now closed.

Prize: The winning act gets to perform in an episode of Hollyoaks.
How it works: A shortlist of nine acts will be chosen, with each act championed by a member of the Hollyoaks cast on a new TV series, imaginatively named The Hollyoaks Music Show. At the end of the series, the public will choose which act deserves to perform in an episode of the soap.
How to enter: Upload a video or audio track (must be under 2 minutes long) at .
Closing date for entries: 22 September 2009.

Prize: Over £50,000 in prizes up for grabs, with the overall winner bagging a recording and management contract with up to £30,000 investment to release a single with Future Music.
How it works: Apply online and in January 2010. If you get through that, you'll be invited to the Regional Finals in front of an audience and judging panel. There you'll be competing for a spot at the Grand Final whic takes place at the Live and Unsigned Festival at London's O2 Arena in July 2010.
How to enter: Visit and apply for an audition (£10 fee).
Closing date for entries: Auditions start 16 January 2010 but places fill up quickly, so apply early to avoid disappointment.

*Disclaimer* - Please, please, please, always read the terms and conditions before sending off your music and entering any competition. And remember, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Introducing doesn't endorse any of the above contests, we just thought you'd be interested in them. Generally, we think there's a lot to be said for the hard grafting, DIY approach to making it in the music business. If you believe in what you do and work hard at it for long enough, good things will happen... eventually (just ask ).