IPSWICH: More than 100 aspiring performers took to the Regent’s stage with dreams of winning the UK’s largest music competition for unsigned bands.

Sixty bands were put through to the Live and Unsigned regional finals after auditioning at the Ipswich theatre throughout Saturday morning and afternoon.

Lauren Packer, the event co-ordinator for Live and Unsigned, said: “It was the biggest turnout we have ever had and it was an extremely busy day. The standard was absolutely exceptional and it looks good for the regional final.

“We saw 117 performers on Saturday. Sixty of them went through to the regional final at Ipswich Corn Exchange in April.”

More than 10,000 unsigned musicians register to audition every year making it the biggest live music talent search for original bands and acts in the UK.

The competition’s format allows the UK’s break through acts to perform in their own genre and style, and the overall aim is to find potential recording artists.

As well as offering entrants the chance to perform live to capacity audiences at some of the best venues in the country, there is also more than �100,000 in prizes up for grabs.

The winner is offered a music management package which includes festival slots, a UK tour and a recording contract with Future Music.