Race to play Arthur's Day hots up

With just over a week to go before the deadline, hundreds of bands and artists have already put themselves into the frame by entering the Our Thursdays competition being run by Guinness. As part of the activity there's the amazing opportunity to play alongside Snow Patrol on Arthur's Day – with the intriguing prospect that no less than Gary Lightbody and co. will themselves be among the judges charged with the vital task of sifting through the final shortlist of 100 entries.

"The reaction has been fantastic," Stuart Kinch for Guinness Our Thursdays told Hot Press. "There is a lot of excitement about the event, which promises to be a real summer-long festival of music in pubs and venues all over the country."

Our Thursdays is open to artists from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"There are no restrictions in terms of music styles," Kinch confirmed. "What's important is that bands will need to be able to deliver a really good live show at the gigs taking place in a hundred different pubs during July and August. Acts who can generate a real sense of excitement among audiences will be in with a great chance."

With July 8 set as the closing date for entries, the time to enter is now. To do so, click here