The hunt is on for bands and singers to take part in this year’s Ipswich Music Day.

Ipswich Star: Thousands of people flock to Ipswich Music Day in Christchurch Park.Thousands of people flock to Ipswich Music Day in Christchurch Park. (Image: Archant)

The largest free, one-day music event in the UK, some 40,000 people pack out Ipswich’s Christchurch Park every year with the hope of hearing the next big thing.

Previous performers have included Framlingham’s very own Ed Sheeran, who played there in 2009 and 2010.

Part of Ipswich Borough Council’s annual Ip-art festival, this year’s event will be held on Sunday, July 5.

Musicans have until Sunday, March 6, to apply by visiting www.ip-art.com/music-day-application.aspx. You’ll also need to provide three URL links to tracks, a picture and your technical specifications. Soundcloud links are preferred.

Spread over multiple stages, genres represented include acoustic, dance, hip hop and rap, reggae, blues, DJs, idie, rock, country, electronic, ska, covers, folk, punk and hardcore, world music and more.

Successful applicants will be listed on the borough council’s website from April.

Councillor Bryony Rudkin, IBC’s culture portfolio-holder, said: “This is an exciting time for us all when we see the first applications coming in.

“This is a great opportunity for solo artists and groups of musicians to play in front of a huge audience in the park. Who knows, it could be the start of something very big - this is where some of the brightest talent in the music business started.”