Band contest auditions begin

Dec 31 2009 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

UP-AND-COMING rock bands are preparing themselves for their shot at the big time next year.

The Live and Unsigned contest – which offers aspiring groups the chance to win a recording contract – is holding auditions in February and musical Buddies have been put on red alert.

The winning act will not only take away a recording and management deal, they will also get to play on the main stage of the Live and Unsigned Festival at the 02 Arena in London!

Live and Unsigned is the biggest music competition in the UK for original bands and artists, with more than 30,000 acts gracing the audition rooms in the last three years.

The competition has found some groundbreaking new acts including Kiddo 360 who went on to pick up a Vodafone Unsigned Award and 2007’s Bkay and Kazz, who broke into the UK top 30 chart.

After the initial audition stage, the successful acts are then chosen to perform at the regional finals in front of a live audience, industry guests and celebrity judges.

The competition has been endorsed by former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and Radio 1’s Annie Nightingale.

Radio 1’s unsigned expert Huw Stephens and performer Just Jack also look set to join next year’s judging panel.

Auditions in Scotland begin on Saturday, February 6, at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. For more on Live and Unsigned and to register for your audition, go to the website www.liveandunsigned.uk.com