EXCLUSIVE: Murphy's Live headline acts announced

Fight Like Apes, Future Kings of Spain, Ilya K, Giveamanakick, Delorentos, Fred and Ham Sandwich will each headline one heat around the country in which two competing up-and-coming bands will battle it out. The heats will take place in Cork, Dublin (x 2), Waterford, Limerick, Killarney and Clonakilty from Jan 24 to March 6.

Murphy's Live is the hottest new addition to the Irish music calendar presenting a golden opportunity for the best up-and-coming Irish bands to support some of the country's top live acts.

Bands are carefully selected from the hundreds of demos received. They are then judged on their live performances at the Murphy's Live heats around the country throughout January, February and March. Four bands will go forward to semi-finals and two are then selected for the Grand Finale, held in Dublin in May.

The winning band receive an EP Release with FIFA Records worth €10,000, which includes recording time in studio, national distribution and a full music publicity campaign.

All bands that enter will receive feedback and a Murphy’s Band Survival Guide - full of useful information on all you need on know about the music industry.