Praise the Lord we are a musical nation

Shock of the new as our best young bands prepare to battle it out.

There sure are a lot of musicians in Irish schools. Six hundred school-age bands and musicians are expected to submit demos for this year's Shockwaves Unsigned. Three hundred "top quality" demo tapes have landed on the desk of Ashley Keating, who is running the Shockwaves Unsigned New Music Competition for schools this year. The closing date is on Friday and Keating expects to have at least 600 by then. And that's not including the stragglers (so there's hope if you're only hearing about this now).

Last year 500 bands entered the competition, which was won by Galway foursome Waif. They have just recorded their first single and have done a Fanning session and plenty of gigs since their win. All four members of Waif are headed for college, but they're fishing around for a record deal on the side.

Last year's competition included a gig tour for the shortlisted bands, DJs and singer-songwriters and a final Battle of the Bands for the 10 finalists at the Ambassador in Dublin. Twelve hundred people turned up. It was hectic, but this year it's going to be ballistic, Keating reckons.

"I was a bit worried about running a gig tour for under-18s - I thought they'd be all over the place. I've been in the music business for years and I couldn't get over the professionalism, the enthusiasm and total lack of ego of these musicians."

This year the competition has been extended to include schools from both sides of the Border. Professional musicians are on board to mentor competing artists through the songwriting and performance process. The winners will receive a professional recording session, a 2FM session, €1,000 worth of equipment vouchers and will have their first 1,000 CDs manufactured for free. There is also a €350 holiday voucher for the teacher that spots and encourages the winning act.

With 18 schools setting up mini companies for the BlastBeat Challenge and 600 bands taking part in Shockwaves Unsigned, this could be the year for the young Irish band!