30 of Ireland's top unsigned bands are ready to do rock 'n' roll battle.

• 13th Jan 2009

After much deliberation by the panel of judges, the 30 unsigned bands who’ll be competing in The JD Set 2009 have been announced.

They are – cue suitably ear-piercing fanfare – Agbonlahor, Aortal, Atticjacks, Bill Minus, Black Daisey, Camogie Lovers, Dirty Epics, Floyd Soul & The Wolf, Flying Columns , Green Lights, Jezzebelle, Leaders Of Men, My Woolly Hat, Neon Flea Circus, Neon Stars, Nick Carswell & The Elective Orchestra, Red Kid, Revolution For Dogs, Road Runner, Robotnik, Saccade, Superjiminez, The 83s, The Chapman Society, The DLS, The Hot Sprockets, Touchwood, Valentine Black, VIC and Woodster.

They’ll get to do battle in:

Dublin – February 19 & 20 @ Crawdaddy

Cork – February 26 & 27 @ The Old Oak

Waterford – March 5 & 6 @ The Kaz Bar

Limerick – March 19 & 20 @ Trinity Rooms

Galway – March 26 & 27 @ The Quays

The full breakdown will be announced shortly on thejdset.ie.

One act from each location will go through to April 23’s Grand Final in Crawdaddy, with the eventual winners receiving a mentoring session from JD Set Icon Hugh Cornwell, studio time in Grouse Lodge, a photo session, a live video, a JD Set support slot in Belfast and the opportunity to fly to the UK to receive advice from a range of top music industry professionals.

Previous victors include The Coronas, The Chakras and 2008 standout act Snowman FC.