Next Big Thing first semi final

Future Radio, in partnership with the EDP and Evening News, are pleased to announce the bands playing the first Next Big Thing semi-final at the Brickmakers' B2 venue in Norwich this Sunday.

The running order of acts will be drawn out of a hat on the day of the semi-final. Three of these semi-finalists (and three from the next semi on October 26) will make it through to the Grand Final at UEA LCR on November 9 and be in with a chance of winning the top prize, including £750 of products from Professional Music Technology (PMT), a recording contract with NRONE Records, a £250 cash prize with business advice from Access to Music Norwich, and a studio package with Future Studios.

Tune in to Future Radio 96.9FM for more details as they are released, including profiles of the semi-finalists and keep your eye on the website www.futureradio.co.uk

Semi-final tickets are available now £3 from B2. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

t Adele Swallow, a singer-songwriter and her band playing a folk/blues/acoustic pop mix and made up of five people from Norwich. Originally hailing from Hunstanton, Adele, now in her 20s, lives in Norwich, where her band is based. Together with other young, Norwich locals Jack Torn (lead guitar), Alice Fisher (cello), Jon Potter (drums), and Adam Veale (bass guitar), Adele's electrifying live performances have been making an impact both locally and nationally. Including support slots with Echo and the Bunnymen and Bungay's own success story Tom Baxter.

t Cross Country Driver. After previous Next Big Thing finalists ICENIS split up, Adam King felt a bit lost and began playing on his own for the first time in forever. He named himself Cross Country Driver, as he likes to drive off road on muddy fields and grew up in the countryside. He plays and produces everything himself, other than the drums on one of the tracks which are played by Tobias Hall.

t Killamonjambo, a funk/rock band whose six members come from Norfolk and gig regularly in Norwich and in surrounding areas. The band is made up of bass, guitar, drums, sax and two lead singers. They weave funk dub and rocky ska into their pieces to create a crowd-pleasing and solid set. Their set boasts boppy-dubby ska numbers, suddenly hitting you with rock outs and hiphop. They are currently auditioning a boosted horn and brass section, and are continuously writing and refining new material.

t The Lidi Berlins, a Norwich three-piece skiffle/punk band are composed of two blondies and a ginger (a strawberry blonde!). They play music that embraces many musical genres, although most notably they have been described as “skiffle punk”. They have been together for two years and have had music played on BBC Radio 1, and also Future Radio.

t Rigo Jancsi are a Norwich-based four-piece band playing a mix of indie and dance. They formed late in 2006, with the name was inspired by a story discovered when randomly looking for a chocolate cake recipe, of a Hungarian love affair between a princess and a gipsy violinist. Rigo Jancsi have become a prominent act in Norwich, with the track Checkmate receiving national airplay on BBC Radio 1 and London's FMX. They have supported the likes of the Holloways, Los Campesinos and Little Man Tate.

t Spitfire are an alternative/rock three-piece from Norfolk. Brought together by a love for music, schoolmates Oli Foster and Max Mallett first formed a band three years ago in the hope of achieving something great and Spitfire was born. After playing gigs around Norfolk and a brief break from performing in 2007, Oli and Max were joined by a third and final talented member to their band, drummer Harry Bennett. Keen fans of alternative rock, the trio has now crafted their set of original songs (including fan favourite Not Safe Here) and in July 2008, went into the Mill Studio at Winfarthing, in Norfolk, to record their first EP First Flight.