Liverpool FC has played its part in backing the inaugural Getintothis music awards which looks to champion and promote fresh, up-and-coming bands from around the city.

As part of a judging panel, a representative from the club helped draw up a shortlist of 12 acts who will compete for the prize which has been dubbed the 'Scouse Mercury'.

The GIT Award was launched at the Liverpool Music Week's closing party in November 2011.

More than 380 entries were made up until the closing date at the end of February 2012 and the shortlist was then decided by a judging panel comprising of Liverpool Football Club, NME, Vice Magazine, The Quietus and The Guardian amongst others.

The overall winner will be announced at The GIT Award 2012 show on Friday April 27 at Leaf on Bold Street, where each of the shortlisted artists will perform while being filmed exclusively by Mocha and LFC TV.

Journalist and Goldblade musician John Robb will host the evening.

The best entry will win a day's free recording at Sandhills Studio with a top producer, as well as a showcase slot at next year's Liverpool Sound City and Liverpool Music Week.

Film-maker Ian Gamester, who has been shortlisted for the prestigious Virgin Media Shorts film, will also be on hand to shoot the band's video promo which will be screened in FACT's boutique Box cinema.

"The first GIT Award shortlist highlights the wealth of new musical talent within Merseyside," said GIT Award founder and chair of judges Peter Guy. "The artists are ambitious and inventive, emotional and passionate, funny and profound. 

"They evoke a sense of time and place, providing a wonderful snapshot of Merseyside's varied sonic landscape proving why Liverpool is still the centre of the music universe."

Dave Pichilingi, CEO Liverpool Sound City, said: "Sound City has always championed the vast pool of talent from Liverpool, and having worked with Getintothis since our formation in 2007, the GIT Award represents the perfect showcase to celebrate new music."

Here is the official shortlist drawn up by this year's panel:

Bang On
Ex-Easter Island Head
Forest Swords
Loved Ones
Miss Stylie
Mugstar
Outfit
Ninetails
Bill Ryder-Jones
Stealing Sheep
The Tea Street Band
Esco Williams

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