POP star James Blunt is searching for a local support act for his November 27 show at the BIC.

The singer-songwriter will make his selection from the Bournemouth Daily Echo and O2 Academy Bournemouth Unsigned campaign at bournemouthecho.co.uk/unsigned.

The deadline is August 31 and musicians can upload their mp3 track and bio on the Unsigned web page. The You’re Beautiful singer said he was excited by the prospect of the talent he may uncover.

“It’s not something that we’ve done before, but we thought we’d try something different this time. We wanted to do something grass roots and find a support act locally,” said James, 40.

The singer, who previously enjoyed a distinguished career in the Household Cavalry, got his big break by supporting established names such as Katie Melua and Sir Elton John.

“From my own experience of Elton John finding new bands and taking them out on the road, which is what he did with me. He took me round the UK and one of my second gigs with my band was in front of 40,000 people at Ipswich football stadium. Without those kinds of opportunities, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” James added.

The Bournemouth show will feature songs from James’s latest Moon Landing album, including the hit Bonfire Heart, but he promises there will be tunes from previous records – which have amassed worldwide sales of 20 million – as well.

“A support act should be good musically and that is original and creative. They need to engage with the audience. Historically, I would have looked for an act that gets the audience going with energy and sets me up on stage with an audience that is already having fun and enjoying themselves.”

James has these words of advice for any hopeful musicians keen to support him later this year at the BIC: “We’d be thrilled to have you come along and support us and make it a great show for us.”