TODAY we announce the line up of judges for The Evening Star's Battle of the Bands contest.

By JAMES MARSTON, entertainments reporter

james.marston@eveningstar.co.uk>

TODAY we announce the line up of judges for The Evening Star's Battle of the Bands contest.

Held in the Circle Bar of the Regent on November 14 and in conjunction with Ipswich music scene website www.lovemusic24.co.uk, Battle of the Bands will see the best of Suffolk's music world go head-to-head.

Judges include James Young, events manager at Ipswich Borough Council, Steve Hicks, Ipswich Community Radio disc jockey, Jon Barnes, Evening Star journalist and music fan, and Bronwyn Cooper, lead singer with Ipswich's up and coming band, Underline The Sky.

Mr Young said: “I am delighted to be a judge - this is a fantastic opportunity for unsigned bands in Ipswich and a great way to showcase the town's talent.

“It's going to be some competition.”

The competition winner will enjoy a weekend of recording at Punch Studios where they will be able to record up to three tracks. The prize will also include the mixing and mastering of their very own CD.

Not only do the top five bands from the competition get to play at the Circle Bar in front of a panel of judges on the night but they also get to support headlining band Prego, formed by Edd Simpson, brother of Charlie Simpson of Fightstar and Busted fame.

All five finalists will also be featured in The Evening Star and online in the week before the battle.

Bands can upload their tracks on www.lovemusic24.co.uk from September 14 to October 1 and music fans will be able to either text their vote or go online to vote from October 5.

Voting ends on October 30 and finalists will be announced the week commencing November 2.

The competition is free to enter.

To find out more about the Battle of the Bands and all the latest on the Ipswich music scene visit www.lovemusic24.co.uk

Do you have a favourite Ipswich band? What's your view of the music scene in the town? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Whether you're a performer, promoter, venue owner or fan, lovemusic24.co.uk is the place for you to let everyone know what's going on in your music world.

Featuring gig info, events listings, photo galleries and band profiles, lovemusic24 is social networking site dedicated to the Ipswich music scene.

The site also includes a music classifieds section, blogs and festival information.

Membership is free and signing up is easy.