Calling all bands: the Red Bull Bedroom Jam is here

Last night saw the launch of the Red Bull Bedroom Jam, an exciting new online competition that will take one lucky Irish band out of their bedroom and into the spotlight.

Here's how it works: fledgling Irish bands (all members aged 17+, with one member aged under 26) are invited to upload a video to redbullbedroomjam.ie to be in with a chance of winning.

From February 27, the bi-weekly Bedroom Jam Buzz Chart will reveal which of the country’s acts have been the most popular in terms of views, comments and social media activity from YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

From there, six bands will be filmed live from the comfort of their own homes, while the world watches online, with three more going on to play at the biggest Irish music festivals in 2012, including Glasgowbury and the Sea Sessions. Finally, one band will be crowned as winners at a live final in the Autumn, scooping the top prize of a week's recording with a top producer in an International Red Bull Studio.

Red Bull celebrated the launch in the Workman's Club with a blistering set by no-frills rockers The Minutes, who set a terrific example for any attendees planning to enter.

Look out for a review of the show in the next issue of Hot Press, out on January 26. In the mean time, head on over to [link]www.redbullbedroomjam.ie[/link] to register your band.

Click here to browse our pics from the gig, taken by Ruth Medjber.