Come all ye wandering minstrels, music groups of any genre, rappers, soloists, instrumentalists etc and together we will try to raise the already high profile of Uxbridge and its surrounding towns as a hotbed of talent to rival any other.

Yes, the Crown and Treaty public house on Oxford Road have informed me they are putting on a talent battle that'll rattle the now legendary venue to its ancient foundations. Whatever YOU do to perform YOUR music makes YOU eligible for a chance to win the £200 pot.

All entrants have over a month to prepare because the event is on the last Bank Holiday Sunday of May. That's Sunday May 24, 2015. From 6pm until 2am, eight acts will play out a 30-40 minute set to be judged by a panel of Crown and Treaty staff and regulars.

All you need to do to register is contact me via Twitter @HughieDixon, or email ciaobuddha@hotmail.com with your band details and I'll find you a slot on a first-come-first-served basis, and of course preference will be given to acts that based in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

The old cliché: "It's not the winning, it's the taking part that matters", stands true because if you're in music for money then you're in it for the wrong reasons and should probably go try your luck with X Factor and the like. The money is just a bonus as it'll be a fun day of varied entertainment. I look forward to hearing from you. Your set must be at least 70% original material.

Local ladies Lips are in the aforementioned contest and are playing a jam at The George, Twickenham this Sunday April 26. I know it's a mission but these girls know their chops and you might want to check out the competition. Starts at 7pm.

Cover Bands

Friday April 24

Large Portion @ The General Eliott, St Johns Road, Uxbridge

CCN7 @ The Brook House, Kingshill Avenue, Hayes

The Trembling Wilbury's (tribute) @ Tropic, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip

The New Ambassadors @ The Crock of Gold, High Street, Ruislip

The J45s @ The Black Horse, High Road, Eastcote

Saturday April 25

Undersound @ The Six Bells, Station Road, West Drayton

The Bite @ The Cat and Fiddle, Rowan Road, West Drayton

The Skammers @ The Three Steps, High Street, Cowley

Blonde Moments @ Ye Olde Crowne, Station Approach, Hayes

Open Mic/Jam Sessions

8pm Tuesdays @ The Old Crown, Station Road, Hayes Town

9pm Wednesdays @ The White Bear, Ickenham Road, Ruislip

6.30pm Thursdays @ Harris And Hoole Coffee Shop, opposite Uxbridge Station

8pm First Thursday of each month @ The Crown And Treaty, Oxford Road, Uxbridge

8pm Last Thursday of each month @ The Brook House, Kingshill Avenue, Hayes