This year there are nine music categories open to enter. Any act entering the competition must choose the most relevant category and can submit a maximum of one application in total.
Acoustic
Includes Singer/Songwriter (solo artists only), Folk, Instruments e.g. guitar, keyboardist
Contemporary
Includes Pop, R&B, Neo-Soul, Lo-Fi, Gospel, Country, Jazz and Electronic.
Desi
Includes music of South Asian heritage.
DJ and Dance
Includes Drum & Bass, EDM, Samples and DJs of all genres.
Groups
Suitable for groups of two or more individuals, also including Choirs or Collectives.
Indie
Includes Post-Punk, Shoegaze, Psychedelic and New Wave.
Rap, Reggae and Afrobeats
Includes Hip Hop, Grime, Drill, Trap, Dancehall, Bashment, Amapiano, Gospel and Ska.
Rock
Includes Metal, Heavy, Grunge, Prog, Blues, Punk, Spacerock, Emo, Goth and Glam.
Under 18s
Suitable for all groups and solo artists of any music genre who are under 18