Seven Steps Up awards ceremony announced

The ceremony will take place in the capital's Sugar Club on Saturday, March 8, commencing with a 'demo dip' by Hot Press' Jackie Hayden and Willie Kavanagh, the MD of EMI Records and chairman of the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA).

Jackie and Willie will be casting a critical ear over demo CDs from some of the participants and a number of their hometown colleagues and offering constructive comments on their music.

Young musicians aged 12-19 from various regions - Clare, Limerick, Kerry, Cloyne, Kildare, Wexford, Donegal, Louth, Carlow, Midlands, Meath, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Galway - will then perform and compete for the chance to have their music recorded. Each act will perform one of their own songs and one composition by a fellow Youth Club member.

Many of Ireland’s other leading music industry figures will be also be on hand throughout the day to give the up-and-coming bands valuable career advice.

Already confirmed are Keith Johnson, marketing manager with IMRO, Aileen Galvin from music publicists Entertainment Architects, Phantom FM DJ Sinead Ni Mhordha and Willam Ryan, the head of Savvi Entertainment Group.

The entire ceremony and live performances will also be broadcast live on the web at www.youthworkireland.ie and www.garageland.ie starting at 3:45pm on the day.