FOUR up and coming local bands will be showcasing their talents in St Albans next week as part of the Red Stripe Music Award. Hey Jupiter, Tasha Fights Tigers, The Regency and St Albans-based band Polly Poison and her Electric Antidote will all be playing

FOUR up and coming local bands will be showcasing their talents in St Albans next week as part of the Red Stripe Music Award.

Hey Jupiter, Tasha Fights Tigers, The Regency and St Albans-based band Polly Poison and her Electric Antidote will all be playing at The Horn next Thursday night (March 18) from 8pm.

Over a thousand emerging bands have entered the competition run by the Jamaican lager brand, which has been described as live music's answer to the Mercury Music Prize.

The four Herts-based bands are among the 150 acts that have been chosen to play at 25 regional gigs across the country.

20 of the bands will be shortlisted and narrowed down to four bands by top industry professionals before they go on to play at the final in May.

Last year's judging panel was made up of Elbow's Guy Garvey and XFM's John Kennedy.

Slots at the summer's major festivals, including The Great Escape, are lined up for the winner.

Entry to Thursday's gig cost �4 on the door.