Initially launched in October by former Stranglers' man Hugh Cornwell, the JD Set offers contestants the opportunity to get a few pointers from Cornwell and top music industry pros in the UK, band photography, studio time in Grouse Lodge Studios and a chance to perform a support slot at a JD Set gig in Belfast in May 2009.

In the initial round of the competition, 30 bands will be chosen in January 2009 to play in The JD Set heats in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford during February and March.

Each venue will host two heats featuring three live bands for two nights in a row. One act will be selected by a panel of three judges to go on to The JD Set final in Dublin where they will compete with four other bands for the grand prize.

Previous winners of The JD Set include the likes of The Coronas who took the prize in 2005 and The Chakras who were joint winners in 2006.

Unsigned bands are now invited to register on the official website, www.jdset.ie or they can send demos to:

The JD Set
12 Camden Row
Dublin 8

The venues for the heats of The JD Set 2009 are as follows:

February 19 and 20- Crawdaddy, Dublin
February 26 and 27- The Old Oak, Cork
March 5 and 6- The Kaz Bar, Waterford
March 19 and 20- Trinity Rooms, Limerick
March 26 and 27- The Quays, Galway

The final heat is scheduled for will the Crawdaddy in Dublin on Thursday, April 23.