Leading pub company cranks up the volume this summer as it launches Greene King Untapped
– a nationwide search for unsigned local bands and solo artists ready to showcase their talent in their hometown pub.
Aspiring musicians in London will compete for the chance to
win a headline slot at the Pub in the Park 2026 festival, along with a £10,000 cash prize and a recording session at a top studio.
To get there, entrants will perform at open-mic nights and pub garden showcases held across venues up and down the country, with successful acts progressing to regional heats.
The competition, which is sponsored by Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola, is open to solo artists, bands, duos
and anyone with a passion for playing live music. Musicians can enter to perform by
registering
online, and will perform at either:
Adam & Eve (St James)
Anchor – Bankside (Southwark)
Assembly House (Kentish Town)
City of Quebec (Marylebone)
George (Southwark)
Hope & Anchor (Islington)
Junction (Clapham Junction)
Kings Head (Tooting)
Leather Bottle (Merton)
New Explorer (London)
North London Tavern (Kilburn)
Prince of Wales (Covent Garden)
Prince of Wales (Wimbledon)
Raynes Park Tavern (Raynes Park)
Victoria (Victoria)
Ascott (Pinner)
Nags Head (Welling)
The winner of the competition will receive:
A performance on stage at Pub in the Park 2026
A live-to-vinyl recording session at the world-famous Metropolis Studios in London sponsored by Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola
£10,000 to invest in their music career – be it new equipment, gigs or tour expenses
Key Dates for London:
Entry deadline: 31 July 2025
First round live performance at local Greene King pubs: Friday 8 August 2025
Second round of regional heats across nine Greene King pubs: Thursday 21 – Monday 25 August
National live final: Saturday 13 September 2025
Zoe Bowley, Managing Director of Greene King pubs, said: “Pubs have always been the cornerstone
of raw musical talent, where legends are born with a pint in hand and a mic on stage. Greene King Untapped is our way of championing grassroots artists who bring the noise and the heart to their communities. This is about making live music accessible and easy
to enjoy – because nothing beats a great night out at your local.”
Greene King Untapped is part of Live at Your Local taking place across 870 pubs, where pubs will host music
themed events across the UK. Designed to celebrate the power of music bringing people together, it offers something for everyone including high-energy karaoke nights and engaging music quizzes, to electrifying performances by live bands and expertly curated
playlists to get people into the summer spirit.
Think you’ve got what it takes to be one of over 500 musicians performing across pubs up and down the country
this summer? Or do you know a local act ready to be discovered? Visit Greene
King Untapped online to submit your entry and learn more.
