Presented by Alex Zane, the second series of Orange unsignedAct with Sony Ericsson will kick-off a nationwide search across all the regions and counties to find the UK's most talented bands and singer-songwriters who write and perform their own original material. TV and radio presenter Jo Whiley, famed musician Alex James and head of A & M Records Simon Gavin, will be heading up the panel of judges to find Britain's most talented band or singer songwriter.

Whether its rock, indie, or hip-hop; unsignedActs from all music genres will be invited to take part for the chance to be mentored and nurtured by some of the best experts in the music industry. The winning act will also receive a recording contract with Universal Records. The judges want all local bands involved and are encouraging budding artists to enter the competition so they can put their city on the music map. www.orangeunsignedact.co.uk .

In collaboration with Orange and Sony Ericsson, Channel 4 will give support to talented and credible bands and singer-songwriters by giving them the opportunity to showcase their talent to the masses through TV, online and mobile formats. The show will be broadcast on T4 and the channel's brand new music channel 4music and work in partnership with a fully-interactive website www.orangeunsignedact.co.uk; where music fans will be able to have 24-hour access to all the gossip and behind-the-scenes news through their mobile.

To enter the show, bands will be able to upload their tracks and photos onto the Orange unsignedAct website www.orangeunsignedact.co.uk . 50 bands will then be shortlisted to audition infront of our panel of judges and an audience of dedicated music fans.

But only eight bands will be selected who will then embark on a nation-wide tour, performing gigs around the country to raise support from the public and win the backing of the judges. Last year, over 1,700 bands entered the competition in the hope of winning the contract with A&M Records and taking the first step towards releasing their debut album.