Video: GIT Award finalists
When the inaugural Getintothis Award was launched at Liverpool Music Week's closing party in November 2011, Liverpool FC threw its full weight behind the project.
The club has a long tradition of bringing together music and football. From the Kop swaying to Beatles classics throughout the 60s, to Reds legends John Aldridge and John Barnes taking the music world by storm with the 'Anfield Rap' in 1988.
And so, in support of an award which looks to champion and promote fresh, up-and-coming bands from around the city, a representative of the club took on a role as part of a panel of judges, helping to sift through the applications from talented musicians.
Now, five months and just under four hundred applications later, the winner of the prize dubbed nationally as 'The Scouse Mercury' is about to be announced.
On Friday, April 27 at the Leaf bar on Bold Street, journalist and Goldblade musician John Robb will host the awards ceremony and Liverpoolfc.tv cameras will be on hand to capture the drama as it unfolds.
At stake is a 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.
There's also the invitation to star in an exclusive gig at London's The Old Blue Last venue promoted by Vice Magazine.
Music at the awards ceremony will be provided by a host of DJs including, Chew Disco (Emma Obong and Khalil West), Daniel Hunt (Ladytron) and Absense (Waxxx resident DJ). Milk Productions, on Bold Street, are also making a commemorative memento for each of the nominees.
To visit the official Getintothis site, click here>>, check out the GIT Music award on Facebook or follow Getintothis on Twitter - @Getintothis.
The 2012 GIT Music Award Nominees:
Ex-Easter Island Head:
Forest Swords:
Loved Ones:
Miss Stylie:
Mugstar:
Ninetails:
Outfit:
Bill Ryder-Jones:
Stealing Sheep:
The Tea Street Band
Esco Williams:
Bang On (Warning: Contains Explicit Lyrics):