Judge’s Talk Back From Aldershot and Bedford Auditions

With one more weekend of live auditions left, Live and Unsigned were in Aldershot and Bedford this weekend. Despite the snow, it was a fantastic turn out and plenty of high quality acts graced the audition rooms. Here the judges highlight a few from the day but remember, there are so many acts auditioning, it’s tough to mention everyone! So if your name isn’t here, don’t fret – this could all change in the live show!

ALDERSHOT

Luke Brown, from Eagle Radio, thought, “May Contain Nuts were very promising I just think they need a bit more practice. Sian Wilkie www.myspace.com/sianwilkie was brilliant and I think this could be her year. Connor had great moves, Lola had good lyrics and So Far Gone www.myspace.com/sofargoneuk had a fantastic sound. Rose – Ann was impressive but I think needed something original. Stretch www.myspace.com/stretchv came all the way from Wales, but I think their journey was worth it – they had great lyrics and a real flow to their music. The Fortunate www.myspace.com/thefortunateuk provided a fresh, funky sound to the day and I really enjoyed their performance. The Vital Signs showed great energy and urgency for their track which I think is vital and We All Stare At The Moon www.myspace.com/weallstareatthemoon were vocally very strong. All in all it was a very successful day!”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music, commented, “Furion www.myspace.com/furionfurion were very energetic – a mix of synth and rock which was great. Stephanie Hargreaves www.myspace.com/stephflorindahargreaves and Cat O’Connor www.myspace.com/catoconnor both performed in a really strong group and are ones to watch in the live shows. Sian Wilkie www.myspace.com/sianwilkie was a grand finalist last year and was again awesome, Urban category watch out... Kraken www.myspace.com/kraken were another very strong metal band. Beth Mccord www.myspace.com/bethmccord has definite single potential, but I think there needed to be more instruments involved to drive home the chorus and not just keys.

Of the acts that didn’t make it through. Abraison need to work on their bass, Could It Be You were good but need a bit more performance experience under their belts and Audio Karma need to work on their performance and look interested in what they are doing. Part Before Closure were great, but need to focus more on engaging the audience. The band of the day for me were The Fortunate www.myspace.com/thefortunateuk – they were fantastic.”

Sam Enser from Rock Choir said, “Jessica Cherag’zad was great although needed to watch the top notes – especially when stripped back to just a piano and vocals. Elliot was good but my advice would be to use a mic more and learn how to use it to your advantage – maybe use a pop shield and practice more at home. Finding Sound brought a great groove from the start and I loved it. Jonny Land was also good but needs to look at his image. Inland Empire www.myspace.com/inlandempireband and Party Before Closure had a strong sound. Tendayi was impressive but needs to find a band to push the music further. UDE www.myspace.com/tashude had great enthusiasm and vision, it just needs tightening up, harmonising and keeping the vocals constant with rap over the top. I’m looking forward to the live show!”

BEDFORD

Paul Fisher, Entertainments Editor of the Bedford Times, said, “China Red were a clever electro pop outfit fronted by a young Gwen Stefani. They had strong vocals and came across as polished. Cousin Avi performed a reggae – funk mash up which really had my head bopping and my foot tapping – really different. Miss Havisham www.misshavisham.co.uk had a great glam look and really catchy lyrics. Mister Brick www.myspace.com/misterbrickband were a punk band with a difference – they were actually a little scary! But I definitely want to see more. UnderView www.myspace.com/underview had the likeability factor – fusing a mix of Indie and Ska. They were the only band of the day to have all the judges dancing. Wooden Casino www.myspace.com/woodencasino1 and Toxic Funk Berry www.myspace.com/toxicfunkberry were also really original and I can’t wait to see the Regional show.”

Cathy Hart, Vocal Tutor, thought, “I thought overall the standard of acts was great – it was a really good audition day. If I were to offer advice to some of the acts it would be that Coastal Cities need to work on their vocals as well as the overall group performance. Miriam also needs to work on vocals and projection. Gemma was good, however I felt she needed to work on control of her vocals and perhaps try to do less with the melody. The grounding is definitely there but I do think a few lessons would push her performance up a notch. Dispora Red also needed to work on the vocals, but gave a solid performance.”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music, commented, “There were plenty of bands that impressed me at the auditions in Bedford. I thought China Red’s lead vocalist had the best image I have seen in a while, Black Acid Souls www.myspace.com/blackacidsouls gave a solid performance and narrowly missed out on a spot at the Grand Final last year and Mister Brick gave the most original performance of the day – with a robotic like animated performance. Scar City www.myspace.com/scarcityuk impressed all the judges with their rock tune and The Marquis gave an impressive performance – although I felt they let the performance drop before the song had finished. Reach Back www.myspace.com/reachbackband performed a catchy little number and I thought they were very good. Carl Spence was a very strong solo act. Toxic Funk Berry were a totally original electronic band and Tonight Were Electric were good, although needed to watch their mic control. I thought the best vocal and track of the day was from Wooden Casino – watch out for these guys at the show.”