If you’ve ever wished it was you performing at Latitude instead of whoever’s on stage, now’s your chance.

Melvin Benn, managing director of organisers Festival Republic, has launched Latitude Firsts with music acts invited to fill the remaining three slots on the event’s already packed programme.

“This is something we’ve been looking at for some time; we’ve had quite a number of letters from local performers and bands saying ‘is there an opportunity to play’?”

Aside from being based in Suffolk or Norfolk, there are no restrictions on who can apply to play the Alcove Stage.

“It doesn’t have to be a band; it may be a classical pianist or cellist. It’s an amazing opportunity to play in front of a new, appreciative audience, to be noticed,” added Mr Benn.

“We’ve seen it so many times where bands have come through, like Alt-J who made their first appearance on the Lake Stage, then go on to headline the second stage and in the future maybe the main stage.”

Also announced was the special Latitude Schools’ Day on July 18, with 500 tickets on offer at a reduced rate.

Open to schools in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, the aim is to introduce more youngsters to theatre, dance, music, literature and visual arts – all of which can be used to support KS2, KS3 and KS4 English, art and design, PE, drama and music curriculum as well as those in further education.

Organisers have also put together a range of resources to help visiting schools make the most of their day. For further details email schools@latitudefestival.co.uk

Latitude runs from July 17-20 at Henham Park, near Southwold.

Visit www.latitudefestival.com for more details or email wanttoplay@latitudefestival.co.uk