Click here for more video footage

Previous winners include Birdy!

The UK's largest music talent competition for singers and songwriters travelled to Manchester this week to see the best acts in the area battle it out for a chance to play at the grand final at the O2 in January.

Here the judges give us some feedback from the event, but remember it could all change at the grand final. Those who didn’t make it through on the day there is one more opportunity to make the O2 with the Wildcard vote; www.openmicuk.co.uk/national_vote

Views expressed by Judges are opinions and subjective to that particular Judge panel and in no way reflect the views of Open mic UK but are published with a view to be positive and beneficial to the performing act’s so they may take on board with a view to helping  them.

Judges Singer songwriter Greg Morton, Heather Baker from Singing Teacher Biz, Bold Management’s Managing Director Martin O’Shea, professional singer Karen Corson and Future Music’s Chris Grayston.

18-25’s age category

Beatbox Tangent; Bit empty in places perhaps a backing track to support could have filled it out more. Some big sounds and with a more entertaining routine could start to progress to a bigger stage.

Singing At Manuel; Not much engagement going on or chemistry on stage, remember to perform to your audience. Singer needs to watch that his words don’t distort so much so that we don’t understand him.

Tom Jarvis; It was a strong performance but not different enough. Developing the higher range would be useful to you. Need to write or collaborate on original stuff to cut it in the acoustic world.

Gina Harrison; performance could have been better rehearsed was a little like a redcoats performance at Butlins and potentially Gina is much better than that. Need to work on finding more chest voice to get a better sound lower.

Scott Peden; Much better performance from memory than the regional final, lose the Oasis cover too common and whiney. Watch you don’t push on the top notes and risk the note cracking.

Kyra Lamont; Not so sure the song choice suited her vocals needed to be brighter and sweeter. Bit shouted in places in the song, work on vocal control and keep to pitch.

Kay C; Sounded and worked well together wouldn’t have done the performance seated as a result it lacked performance. The singer was flat due to having a high larynx which means he’s using the wrong muscles.

Jane Sweeney; Nice vocal sound with a difference. Perhaps needs to embrace the quirky Paloma Faith route even more; 50’s style image and performance to make more distinctive.

Scott Binns; Well put together original where was the cover? Polished performance but a bit self indulgent.

Lauren Kate Brown; Performance was both vocally strong and mature which connected well with audiences and Judges.

Lisa McKechnie; Bit too obvious a cover which was a bit uninspiring but did sing it well. It doesn’t suit the song to be so belted out so keep it softer.

Seno; Enjoyed original more than the cover sometimes the performance was a little over the top. Lots of personality which made it both engaging and enjoyable.

Jenna Hay; Would have chosen more current songs. Performance was restricted with the dress. There was also a lack of vocal cord closure meaning Jenna just missed out on a Grand final spot.

Misfits Music; doesn’t need the masks bit messy and disorganised on stage which is the same comment coming across from all Judges. Work out a routine. Song relies too much on the Michael Jackson lead.

Ashley Jenkins; Performance seemed to lack conviction going from side to side of the stage isn’t enough. Would have benefitted from some higher licks as the song was generally quite low and not challenging vocally.

Reloaded; Great original just didn’t seem so well tuned as in Glasgow, harmonies just didn’t connect. Join of the two songs and the end was a bit messy. Bit disappointing after so much promise in Glasgow.

Bex Currie; Nice sound, guitarist could look up and perform which added to the feel like the instruments were playing different songs. Felt like it needed to be more rehearsed.

Sarah Dixon; Nice timing and performance albeit sometimes exhausting so maybe look at dynamics. Need to develop more chest voice if going to sing that low. Voice was tiring towards the end.

Lewis Brannigan; Even looks like Buble! Liked the adaption of the second cover with a strong finish.

James Taylor; Looked and sounded polished. Song choice was a little bit of a laboured number. Watch the movement on stage as was erratic.

Miss Stylie; suffered from lack of a sound check and lost potential marks by not doing a cover. Image and performance has bags of potential needs to get more organised as was late last time too and it causes things to suffer!