LOCAL acts looking for their big break are one step closer to opening for their musical heroes at A Boundless Summer concerts in Haywards Heath.

Finalists for the Boundless Breaking competition have been announced.

The judges of the competition, organised by experiences company Boundless and Neil O’Brien Entertainment, have whittled down the shortlist from more than 150 submissions to 15 exceptional artists, six of which are from Sussex.

The judging criteria for the final round includes support on social media, and the panel is therefore calling for fans of the shortlisted acts to ‘like’ them via the Boundless Summer Facebook page - www.facebook.com/ABoundlessSummer.

The winners of the competition will perform at Boundless’ inaugural summer concert series, A Boundless Summer, at Borde Hill Garden on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July.

The stellar line-up includes UB40, Aswad, and The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes & Tonnino Baliardo.

The final decision will be made on Monday when two winning acts from Sussex will be announced.

The shortlist is as follows:

•Fresh Like Dexie: Nine-member Future Soul group

•Samsara Collective: A Reggae act with a new angle on the Jamaican sound

•The Wise Bloods: Original and authentic Reggae band

•Josh Renton & The Wildfires: Four-piece Americana-pop band

•King Cassady: A high energy cocktail of gypsy jazz and flamenco

•Miles Goodall: Four-piece pop band drawing comparisons to the likes of Steely Dan, Jamie Cullum and Rufus Wainwright.

Darren Milton, a Boundless Breaking judge, said: “We were blown away by the level of talent received in the entries - we had an incredibly difficult time whittling it down!

“Now we need the help of the fans to decide who will win this amazing prize package, please visit the Boundless Summer Facebook page and ‘like’ your favourite act!”

As well as the main prize of a 30-minute opening slot playing to a crowd of up to 5,000 people, the winning artists will also receive a professional recording session.