ROCKING: The Tayberries and, below, The Arrivals on stage at the Thomas Hardye School

THREE bands won through the first round of a competition for young performers that could see them starring at a summer music festival in Weymouth.

The ultimate winner would also get time in a recording studio to produce a CD.

The bands - Tayberries and The Arrivals from Dorchester and Ilminster folk trio Coracle - won a heat at the Thomas Hardye School and will now play off against three more contenders chosen from a heat at Budmouth Technology College in Weymouth tonight.

The top band will go on to perform on the main stage during the two-day Evolve festival at Lodmoor Park at the end of July. Headline acts include Show of Hands, Lou Rhodes, Kerfuffle and more.

The final is being held at the Corn Exchange in Dorchester on May 29. Judges include Dorchester town crier Alistair Chisholm, Jack Daniels from the renowned local band Howling at the Moon, Bridport music promoter Keith Hatch, Evolve organiser Lucy Smith and Kieran Williams of Wessex FM.

Organiser Chris Walsh said: "The competition winner will get time in a recording studio to produce a demo CD and will perform on the main stage at Evolve on July 26, just before the band Pronghorn.

"The runners up will be able to perform on the small stage and at some Evolve promo days including Beach Live on Weymouth seafront in July.

"The standard is really high and we're expecting a good turn-out at Budmouth to support those bands in tonight's competition."

The Budmouth Technology College heat starts at 6.30pm.

12:17pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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