Beat the band, join the Loeries

5FM's DJ Catherine will open the party at 8pm and will represent EMI Music on the judging panel, along with house DJ Kevin Grenfell. The winning band will receive a recording contract, with a digital release for the recorded single to the value of R40 000, and each band member will receive 25 CDs from the EMI catalogue of their choice valued at R2 500. Band members from the other participating bands will receive 10 CDs each of their choice valued at R1 000.

Taking the EMI brand to another dimension

"With our involvement in the Loeries this year we are hoping to take the EMI brand to another dimension," says Pino di Benedetto MD of EMI South Africa.

All industry bands can enter, such as agencies, production companies, sound studios and design companies, as well as educational institutions, by emailing az.oc.sdrawaeireoleht@sdnab, with a mp3 file sample, the band's name, the company you are representing, a list of the band members, what genre of music you play, plus MySpace, Facebook or twitter links and some photos.

The shortlisted bands will be announced on 29 August.

EMI Music is also sponsoring a special prize for the use of music in advertising, which will be announced at the CTICC during the awards ceremonies. The winner will receive a trip to one of the most famous recording studios in the world, Abbey Road Studios. This London-based studio is most notable for the innovative recording techniques adopted there by The Beatles in the 1960s.