Up and coming Northern Ireland musicians are to get the chance to perform at Tennent's Vital this year.

Tennent's UnTapped will give unsigned performers the opportunity to submit their tracks.

A total of 16 acts will be chosen to play for audiences in May and the winning bands will take to the stage at Tennent's Vital later this summer.

MCD Productions spokesman Niall Morris said: "It gives young local unsigned bands a chance to get noticed and play on the bigger stages with established acts.

"I am looking forward to seeing some amazing new talent play live at the showcases and it will be great to see some of these bands line up alongside the headliners at Vital this year."

The entries will be whittled down by a jury of senior music industry figures including representatives from Tennent's UnTapped promoter partner MCD, music critics, record label representatives and more.

Charlotte Dryden, creative development coordinator at the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast, said: "It is an exciting time for music in Northern Ireland and here at Oh Yeah we have seen some really exciting opportunities arise for some great bands.

The Tennent`s UnTapped programme looks like another great initiative aimed at allowing new music a platform and we look forward to being exposed to even more emerging talent over the coming year."