IT'S TESTAMENT to the quality of Cornish music that three of our acts have made the last 20 of the Red Stripe Music Award.

Patrick James Pearson, Marble Fairy, All the Fires – all from Cornwall – and The Iconyx – from Devon – have all made it to the short-list from 150 bands who played 27 heats across the country who may get a chance to play alongside Scottish indie rockers, The View at the Red Stripe Music Award Final at London's Heaven, Charing Cross on Wednesday, April 28.

All three Cornish finalists played the What's On stage at the Gig in the Gardens in Truro (which unfortunately is unlikely to go ahead this year) last August.

What's On editor Lee Trewhela said: "Fingers crossed that one of the Cornish acts gets to the final – they all deserve to be there. Marble Fairy are a dance party explosion while All The Fires make the sort of folk rock that is in vogue at the moment, and Patrick James Pearson is quite simply the most awe-inspiring Cornish musician I've seen in years."

The four acts from Cornwall and Devon that have made it through to the last 20 played at heats in both Truro and Porthtowan.

With slots at three of the summer's major festivals including The Great Escape guaranteed for the winner, the Red Stripe Music Award looks to offer talented musicians a platform to get themselves noticed by both the public and the music industry.

Arising Artist will also offer consultancy support to each of the short-listed bands.