The Football Association is to launch a Battle of the Bands style competition to find the official song of the FA Cup 2012/2013 – with acts including Lethal Bizzle and The Pigeon Detectives signed up to compete.
The initiative will make live music a part of the FA Cup for the first time with six-strong shortlist of UK acts will do battle over the anthem rights with the final vote in the hands of the British public.
MOBO Award-winning rapper Lethal Bizzle and Leeds rockers The Pigeon Detectives are so far joined by VMA-nominated grime artist Devlin.
The competition is also part of plans to mark The FA’s 150th anniversary.
The six shortlisted acts will perform at selected football grounds across the country with fans voting for the official anthem after the FA Cup Semi-Finals.
The search kicks off at Upton Park on Saturday, January 5 when Lethal Bizzle performs his track with Vato Gonzalez & Donae'o - Not A Saint - live ahead of the tie of the round between West Ham United and Manchester United. Further music acts and performances will be announced ahead of each additional round as far as the Semi-Finals, with the winning track chosen before the Final.
The winning composition will then greet players as they step on to the Wembley turf for the Final of The FA Cup with Budweiser on May 11 2013. Fans will be given the chance to vote for their favourite on The FA Cup website (TheFA.com/TheFACup) in the lead up to the Final.
"I've watched The FA Cup since I was a boy and always dreamed of playing in it,” said Lethal Bizzle. “It's a special competition and I'm made up to be a part of it, and hopefully I can become part of its history by producing the official FA Cup Anthem. To have my music open The FA Cup Final really would be a dream come true."
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