BBC launches global talent search

The contest is part of the World Service's Generation Next season

The search is on. The Next Big Thing is the BBC's search for the best young band in the world. If you think you've got what it takes, we want to hear from you.

The competition - which is being run by the BBC World Service - is open to groups and solo artists in any genre of music, as long as they are aged 18 and under and perform their own songs.

The best entrants will be played on the World Service throughout the autumn, before a winner is chosen by listeners and a panel of music industry experts in December.

So if you think you are the world's best young band send in your tracks to us by Friday 10 November 2006.

"What we're looking for is brilliant new music," says producer Ben Williams.

"The quality of the recording isn't important."

'Helping hand'

Williams says the aim of the competition is to give a helping hand to young artists who may not have access to the music industry.

"There's fantastic musical talent all over the world but many people struggle to get that first break, and that's where we come in."

"It's something new and very exciting that we've never tried before."

The contest will be run with the help of the BBC's language services, which means the final shortlist of six acts could include songs in Swahili, Russian or Hindi.

Artists who are interested in entering the competition should send one track to the BBC World Service by 10 November, 2006 via its Next Big Thing website at www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/thenextbigthing/