MySpace was always the place for unsigned bands to showcase their tunes, but now it has a rival.

Facebook has launched a dedicated section for bands following on from a deal with iTunes.

The new section allows bands to create their own profiles, so that they can make their songs, photos and music videos available to fans.

Facebook visitors can become fans of their chosen artists, rate and review their music and can choose to receive messages from acts.

Acts will also be able to sell tickets and merchandise through a deal with the Music Today service.

Tracks can be streamed but Facebook is providing a link to iTunes so that, if you really like a song, you can buy it through the Apple site.

According to online reports, 100 artists have already set-up Facebook profiles to help launch the service, including Coldplay, the Dave Matthews Band, Cee-Lo, Gnarls Barkley, and The Decemberists.

And to make profile pages more interesting for fans, Facebook has introduced an array of applications bands can use.

These include tools for the creation of unique Facebook pages; a Flash Player; a Music Player; a Discography tool, a Music Shop and a bulletin sending software tool called iCast.

STORY UPDATE: Facebook has got in touch with Pocket-lint to clear up a few details regarding this news item. It seems the social networking company don't want this to be seen as a music/film product launch, more an expansion of services, official statement from Facebook follows:

"Facebook did not launch any new music or film products in recent weeks. Instead, Facebook a week ago created informational pages called "Music on Facebook" and "Film on Facebook" as guides and resources for musicians, bands and filmmakers wanting to create their own Facebook Pages. The ability for musicians, bands and filmmakers to create Facebook Pages has been available since the launch of the Facebook Pages product on November 6."

"Also, Facebook has no partnership or formal tie in with iTunes. Some Facebook applications from third parties do allow artists to link to digital music stores from their Facebook Pages, but using those applications is at the sole discretion of the artists."

>> Via - Mac World