Bands or solo artists wanting to perform in front of thousands of people can audition for this year’s Big Arts Day.

The day, to be held at Lydiard Park on July 14, is a free family festival, celebrating the Swindon art scene with music, dance, drama and workshops and more.

Last year more than 20,000 people visited the festival over the day.

Big Arts Day director Helen Miah said: “Following the success of previous Big Arts Days and the volume of inquiries from local music groups to perform at this event, this year we are introducing auditions.

“This is a great opportunity for local musicians to showcase their talents to hundreds and potentially thousands of people.

“There will be three dedicated music stages as well as the main stage and the new process will enable us to programme the stages to ensure a mix of genres.

“The festival relies on goodwill from a vast number of local artists and arts organisations so we are unable to pay musicians.”

The committee will be looking for people to perform on the main stage, acoustic stage, Riffs/Holmes music stage and youth music stage. To audition complete a registration form and drop it off, along with a CD of your work, with a minimum of two tracks, to Holmes Music, Faringdon Road, Swindon or Riffs Bar, 26 Greatfield, by March 16.

Shortlisted acts will be invited to a live audition on April 15 or 22 at Riffs from 10am. Successful acts will be informed by May 4. Email swindondoesarts @swindon.gov.uk.