Stage 2 of the Climb the Tail competiton has been completed and the six finalists have been confirmed as Inuendo, Up-Lift, Sex Radio, The White Company, The Collards (formerly Katch) and Satellite State. These unsigned bands from across the UK are hoping that North Wales biggest musical hotbed Wrexham holds the key to their future stardom.

The town, which has a growing reputation for live music, is hosting the final of the Climb the Tail competition to find the best unsigned band. Six of the remaining bands will be in the final to be held at the William Aston Hall on January 26.

Climb the Tail is the brainchild of two Wrexham businessmen, Peter Leslie and Mark Kendrick. Peter, himself a musician and owner of web design company, Oraica Ltd said: “The idea came about after listening to the huge number of talented bands publishing their music via the internet, especially on MySpace.

“To break through to the big time takes more than just musical ability. The bands need to market themselves effectively and work hard to build and maintain their fan base.” He adds “This contest in Wrexham will provide an opportunity for them to do just that.”

50 bands from across the UK entered the first stage of the competition, launched on MySpace in August. They were judged on their MySpace performance and nine were selected for stage two.

Mark Kendrick, who runs Frozen Moon Productions, said: “Some of the bands did spectacularly well on MySpace and it bodes well for a great final in Wrexham, all the finalists have the potential to make it to the big time. These aren’t no-hopers but serious musicians well worth seeing live in concert.”

Amongst those hoping to make the line-up is Wrexham’s own Katch, soon to be renamed The Collards. Only six bands will make it to the final on the 26th January. The line up will be decided both on MySpace performance and via an SMS text vote.

Mark added: “This is a great time for people to get involved in the competition and vote for the band or bands they want to perform live in Wrexham, the groups will be judged solely on their performance on the night, we’re looking for the band with the best chance of breaking into the mainstream with marketable music and a good stage presence as well as their actual musical ability.”

The winning band will receive a complete package to enable their breakthrough into the music industry. This includes a recording session, a distribution and promotion package and an animated music video.

The Long Tail Theory

The long tail theory can apply to many things but it is particularly relevant to the music industry and how it has been affected by the increased use of the web for sourcing and downloading music. Because it is now possible for musicians at any level to present their music to a worldwide audience, the amount of music available to the consumer, whatever genre they are interested in, is almost infinite.

As more artists are finding their way on to MySpace, the long tail is increasing in size at a phenomenal rate. This is making it more and more important for anyone wanting to move up the tail towards the zone where the real money is, to do something to set them apart from the crowd - they need to Climb the Tail.

To buy tickets for the final and to vote for your favourite band visit the competition website at www.climbthetail.com