THE waiting game will end this week for the bands and artists across the North West who have applied to appear in the summer music festival 'Sounds Like Summer', which will be held at the Alley Theatre on August 8, 9, 15, 16, with a grand final on August 22.

Sixteen places are available, with bands from across the Donegal, Derry, Omagh and Strabane areas hoping to be selected to participate in the festival, which will run from 7pm to 10pm on festival nights with free entry to the public.

Pauline O'Neill from the Alley Theatre said: "The applications are all in now and I must say the standard as far exceeded our expectations.

"We couldn't believe how much unsigned talent was out there. The festival's main aim is to help raise the profile of local bands and singers and hopefully give them their first or maybe second step into the music industry. We have already been approached by music agents and publishers, who have stated they will be there with the purpose of looking for new acts and songs to sign up. I would like to thank everyone who has applied and state that everyone who has made an application will be hearing shortly if they have been successful enough to make the final sixteen shortlists."

Nathan Flatman, Marketing Officer at the Alley, has high expectations for the festival and is very confident of the appeal it will hold for the public.

"Sounds Like Summer will be the premier music festival not just happening in the Strabane District, but across the North West, so I would like everyone to make a note in their calendar for all the festival nights," he urged.

"The acts performing will have the wonderful chance to win a superb prize, including the opportunity to have a professional CD cut, music video produced and the chance to gain excellent media coverage - an ideal start for any musician or group," he concluded.

The names of the bands and artists who will make up the sixteen finalists will appear on the Alley website (www.alley-theatre.com). By registering on the site, web surfers can keep up to date with information on the bands and all the up to the minute details and goings on at the festival in the Alley Newsletter, Further information can be found by contacting the Alley Theatre on 028 7138 4444.