New musical acts across the Hebrides are to have the opportunity to play at this year's Hebridean Celtic Festival Club, 14-17 July 2004.  The move is an attempt to give burgeoning musical talent the chance to gain experience from performing in front of festival audiences.

The festival club is a new addition to the HCF programme and is sponsored by Hailmusic, an organisation based in the Highlands and Islands which aims to see the growth of the music industry in the region, and helps to develop its international reputation. This collaboration between the festival and Hailmusic will see fresh local talent performing during a world-renowned event.

Caroline MacLennan, Festival Director, said: "This is an exciting development for the festival and we are very pleased to be announcing this new partnership with Hailmusic. To appear at our inaugural festival club the musical acts will have to be of a good quality as they will be playing to 250 people with a wide range of tastes and musical knowledge as well as appearing with some great festival acts.  However, we are confident that such talent is here in the islands."

Shaun Arnold, Hailmusic Co-ordinator, said: "Hailmusic is working to develop the music industry right across the Highlands and Islands and this is a superb opportunity for us to work in the Hebrides with a festival which is a top quality event.

"Giving musical talent a showcase at the festival is a superb way of enabling people to gain experience and to have their music heard. We are very pleased to be sponsoring the first Hebridean Celtic Festival Club and look forward to a long and beneficial partnership."

Acts of all music styles are invited to express an interest to the festival in the first instance, via telephone (01463 710999) or email - info@kanecommunication.com

The closing date for selection is the 28th of June when those selected will be contacted and the necessary arrangements made.