The legendary music industry schmooze, In the City, has just opened it’s books for unsigned bands’ performance registration.

Taking place in Manchester from October 18th – 20th, the event is one part conference, one part music festival - and one massive media spotlight. Founded in 1992 by the late Anthony Wilson from Factory Records and Yvette Livesay, In The City (ITC) has become one of the most important dates in the UK music industry calendar.

Held at The Midland Hotel and throughout the venues and bars of the music-oriented northern city, everyone from record label executives to part-time fans descend on the city for this event. For many, being there is a must.

Applying to play is free of charge and the ITC team welcome submissions from artists of all genres and nationalities. The ITC Unsigned spotlight has one of the biggest signing ratios of any similar event, and has claimed to spawn top acts like Oasis, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and many more.

If you’re part of an unsigned band or act, apply online here

You’ll need to include music, biography and an image. For those more in favour of the old skool methods, you can also send three-track CDs with info and pics to the ITC office – details of which are also available by clicking through to the link above.

Bands from outside the UK can apply via SonicBids too. Winning choices from abroad receive up to $1000 towards their travel costs. You can’t get much fairer than that.

The ITC crew are still putting together the keynote speakers, showcases and panels for the conference. Last year Jarvis Cocker and Gold Blade singer and Manchester writer John Robb held talks, and there were panel discussions on topics like What Value Is Fashion To Music? and Can The UK Grime And Dubstep Scene Produce A World-Beating Artist?

Those interested in showcasing themselves on a panel, through sponsorship, advertising or exhibition can click onto the In The City site for more details.