‘Fireball’s Hottest Band’ Competition Returns For 2017 – Enter NOW

Academy Events in association with Fireball are extremely pleased to announce a return of the open call for local bands to play their respective hometown date on this year’s ‘Fireball – Fuelling The Fire Tour’, joining a bill that already boasts some of the biggest international names in Punk and Ska music - Reel Big Fish, Anti-Flag and Mad Caddies. The overall winners of the competition will be crowned Fireball’s Hottest Band 2018 and will win a place as the opening band on the entirety of next year’s tour, as well a whole host of further support throughout the year.

Sheffield Pop-Punk quartet Sweet Little Machine, winners of last year’s competition and Fireball’s Hottest Band 2017, will open every date of the ‘Fireball - Fuelling The Fire Tour’ this year as part of their prize. Since winning in 2016, the band have also gone on to land national support tours with the likes of Me First & The Gimme Gimmes and Patent Pending with help from Academy Events, and will release their new EP later this year, just in time for the Fireball dates. Of their experience as Fireball’s Hottest Band so far, Sweet Little Machine said: “It’s surreal, because we grew up listening to Alex Baker’s radio show and bands like Less Than Jake, so to have them say that they think you’re actually good is just so cool to hear. We’d definitely recommend to anyone to enter, because the platform that Fireball and Academy Events have been able to offer us opened up all of these doors to get our music out to a wider audience. All these tours have been a wonderful experience and you can really tell that your fan base is growing while you’re doing it all, which is amazing.” This year’s competition opens on 1st August 2017 giving NINE lucky bands the opportunity to win a 20 minute opening slot on their local date, with full branded Fireball backline provided for the gig on their behalf. To enter, simply head on over to: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/fireballcompetition2017 and fill in the entry form fields, saying your band should open the tour in your city. The competition closes on Monday 21st August 2017 at 11.59pm. Winners will be judged and selected by a panel of music industry experts, including members of Reel Big Fish, Ian Richards of Academy Events, Sean Ryman of Live Nation/Download Festival, Alex Baker of Kerrang! Radio’s FRESHBLOOD show, and James Pattison the UK Brand Manager of Fireball. Full terms and conditions can be found on the website. The winners will then be announced on Friday 1st September 2017. Commenting on the announcement, Fireball UK Brand Manager James Pattison said: “We at Fireball UK are delighted to be bringing back the local band competition ahead of this year’s ‘Fireball - Fuelling The Fire’ Tour after a great 2016. I guess the cat is out of the bag now with regards to the Fireball's Hottest Band prize, too, so there's even more to play for. I'm looking forward to hearing what they have to offer, and of course to see Sweet Little Machine strutting their stuff across the full tour this time around!” The tour - a celebration of Punk Rock, Ska, Reggae and Roots music featuring some of the best live bands the international Punk scene has to offer – is set to hit the road in the UK throughout October 2017 including TWO consecutive London dates at the O2 Forum Kentish Town. Tickets are incredible value costing just £10 each and are on sale now, with a special DJ set at each date from Matt Stocks, presenter and Punk fanatic for the likes of Kerrang! Radio, Scuzz TV and Team Rock Radio. The ‘Fireball – Fuelling The Fire Tour’ is your only chance to see some of the finest live bands the international Punk scene has to offer on one stage this October – find out what happens when you’re #FuelledByFireball Tickets for the tour are on sale now - www.ticketmaster.co.uk ‘Fireball - Fuelling The Fire’ 2017 Tour with Reel Big Fish, Anti-Flag + Mad Caddies: 11.10.17 O2 Ritz Manchester 12.10.17 O2 Academy Bristol 13.10.17 O2 Academy Leicester 15.10.17 O2 Academy Leeds 16.10.17 O2 Forum Kentish Town 17.10.17 O2 Forum Kentish Town 18.10.17 O2 Academy Newcastle 19.10.17 O2 Academy Glasgow 20.10.17 O2 Academy Liverpool* 21.10 17 O2 Academy Sheffield* *Anti-Flag will not appear on these dates