Today Tennent’s Lager begin their annual nationwide search for Scotland’s freshest unsigned musical talent with the launch of T Break 2014. Tennent’s Lager have been supporting Scotland’s grassroots music scene through T Break since 1996, giving 16 unsigned artists each year, the chance to play the legendary T Break Stage at T in the Park. Entry for T Break is now open and acts up and down the country can submit their demos for the chance to join Main Stage headliners and former T Break band Biffy Clyro on the T in the Park bill this year.

Tennent’s Lager passionately believe in supporting Scotland’s grassroots music scene and T Break offers an unrivalled opportunity for acts to showcase their material to industry experts and music fans alike on the biggest platform for emerging talent at T in the Park – the T Break Stage. This year’s Friday headliners Biffy Clyro are testament to where this support can help lead to.

T Break’s judging panel consists of 14 of Scotland’s most influential music industry experts including promoters, bookers, artist managers, music business academics and members of the media. This team of music industry experts will listen to every demo submitted before handpicking the 16 acts to play the T Break Stage over the 11th – 13th July.

George Kyle, Head of Sponsorship at Tennent’s Lager, said:

“Tennent’s are extremely proud of T Break and of all the acts that have come through the initiative over the past 19 years. We truly believe that Scotland has one of the best grassroots music scenes in the world and we take great pride in supporting and encouraging these unsigned acts as they try to break into the music industry. It is extremely exciting to watch acts start out on the T Break Stage, with some going on to achieve great success and a prime example of this are this year’s T in the Park headliners, Biffy Clyro”

Dave McGeachan, Senior Promoter at DF Concerts and T Break Judge said:

“Year after year we see fantastic acts coming through T Break, many of which we book via King Tut’s and across our other venues across Scotland throughout the year. The atmosphere at the T Break Stage during the festival is always electric and so many bands have gone on to really great things – I look forward to the fantastic talent we are about to uncover this year!”

T Break 2013 acts have had huge success since playing the T Break Stage last year with rock duo Honeyblood heading out on a US tour, including a date at SXSW, The Merrylees supporting Paul Weller on his Forestlive tour dates this summer and three T Break 2013 bands, Machines in Heaven, Pronto Mama and Hector Bizerk all being nominated for Scottish Alternative Music Awards, across many categories.

Louie, Frontman for T Break 2013 band, Hector Bizerk said:

“I think T Break exemplifies everything that is great about T in the Park. Every Scottish musician dreams of playing in that arena one day and we were fortunate enough to do so in 2013. Each year T Break has gone from strength to strength. For us to be able to fly the flag for hip-hop on that stage was an incredible experience and the highlight of my summer last year. The response we got from the audience was phenomenal!”

T Break are also delighted to announce their new partnership this year with Glasgow based multimedia music platform Tenement TV. Tenement TV are well known for their signature cinematic live sessions shot in a large tenement flat in Glasgow’s west end. Their sets have showcased many up-and-coming and well established players in the Scottish music scene and beyond. Their online journalism and creative and topical content reaches an international audience, with their YouTube channel alone receiving over 1 million views since it began. T Break are extremely excited to work alongside Tenement TV to deliver all highlights for the T Break Stage this year.

Chae Houston, CEO of Tenement TV said:

“As champions of unsigned bands in Scotland, we are delighted to be working in partnership with T Break and Tennent’s Lager for this year’s T in the Park. We remain enthusiastic and supportive of the grassroots music scene here at Tenement TV and have always been proud of T Break’s integral part in providing a platform for Scottish bands. Our partnership will continue to support the music scene of Scotland and we can’t wait!”

T Break is open to musicians of all genres. To get involved entrants must be 18 or over, live in Scotland, and must be currently unsigned – full details on how to submit demos is available on www.facebook.com/TennentsTBreak and www.tennents.com/tbreak and entries must be submitted before the deadline of midnight on Monday 31st March.

Tickets for T in the Park 2014 are now on sale more info and ticket links here. Tennent’s Lager will announce the line-up for the T Break Stage in May.

T Break 2014 – key dates

• March 3rd – annual call for demos
• March 31st – demo entry closes at midnight
• Early May – judging sessions take place
• Mid May – 16 bands selected to play the T Break Stage at T in the Park are announced
• July 11th -13th – T Break Stage at T in the Park