THE entry date for the Strabane Chronicle/Alley Theatre Sounds Like Summer Music Festival is getting closer, with applications still pouring in from across the North West.

Musicians from all backgrounds, young, old, rock and roll, Indie, heavy, country, trad or folk are being given the chance to compete for a major music prize, which will include the opportunity to cut their own professionally produced CD and video. The winner of the forthcoming summer music festival will also have their career tracked through local media, making the winning package every musician's ideal start in the highly competitive world of the music industry.

Sounds Like Summer will feature 16 carefully selected bands or singers, who will appear over a series of outdoor concerts in the Alley's new Piazza, which will eventually decide who will perform in the grand final in Mid August. All 16 participants will receive £100 towards the cost of transport, while the four Sounds Like Summer finalists will receive a further £200 each.

Performances will be held on August 8 and 9 and on August 15 and 16, with the winning act being announced on the evening of the Sounds Like Summer final on August 22. To enter, acts are invited to forward a short artistic CV and sample CD. The CD must contain at least one original composition by the artist/band. Submissions must be received by the Alley by Friday, June 20 at 4pm.

Pauline O'Neill from the Alley Theatre said: "The Alley has had a number of applications already submitted, however bands and local musicians still have time to contact the Alley and complete an application form to take part in the festival. "We are currently receiving applicants from various different genres from across the North West, so we are really looking forward to seeing the final 16 selected."

Meanwhile Conor Sharkey of the Strabane Chronicle added: "We are really looking forward to hearing from some of the wealth of talent that Strabane possesses. "Sounds Like Summer coupled with a nice glass of wine on the Alley Piazza should be the perfect way to while away those long summer evenings."

To receive an information pack, including competition schedule, contact Pauline O'Neill at the Alley on 02871 884760 or email poneill@ strabanedc.com.