The bands and dates for this year’s IMRO Showcase Tour have been announced.

The tour, now in its 18th year, acts as a launchpad for up-and-coming Irish acts and offers music fans the chance to catch the Choice and Meteor award-winning bands of the future in small venues.

The bands chosen for this year’s showcases were whittled down from more than 900 entries. Various showcases will take place in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, Dundalk and Derry during April. The first of them is tonight at Dublin’s Sugar Club, featuring local bands The Kinetiks, Sleep Thieves, 8Ball and Lines Drawing Circles.

Other acts lined up to ply their wares in various venues over the coming month include bands from north and south of the border alike. Land Lovers, Panama Kings, The Jane Bradfords, The Revellions, Disconnect 4, Escape Act, Heathers and Kill Krinkle Club will all feature. A selection of bands from the tour will then perform at a “Best of” gig, scheduled for Dublin in early May.