The eight acts, picked from a long list of 90 compiled by 30 leading music writers and publications from thousands of entries, are: Che Lingo, iiola, LIINES, Marie White, Roma Palace, Shunaji, Swimming Girls and YAMAYA. You can hear their entries on the playlist above.

The winners of the free-to-enter competition will also be awarded a £5,000 Talent Development prize from PRS Foundation to help take their songwriting and performing to the next level. Two runners-up will also each be awarded a £2,500 PRS Foundation Talent Development prize.