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Previous winners include Birdy!

The best unsigned music in Basildon has been discovered by Open Mic UK unsigned music competition as singers took to the stage last weekend. The unsigned music competition has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned music in the region.

Successful auditionees in Basildon performed at The Towngate Theatre in front of a large crowd and the Open Mic UK industry experts. Judges included vocal coaches, music journalists and A&R managers. The singing competition feedback on selected acts can be seen below.

The judges for the Essex singing contest regional final were Martin Renshaw from Alpine Studios, Emma Durrant from Essence Music Agency, Deanna Vukovic-Gardner from Bonafide Studios, Ayo Matthews Editor of urban music website Newsik, vocal tutor Lee Webster, and head of Future Music Chris Grayston.

Find industry feedback below. Please be aware views expressed by judges are opinions and subjective to that particular judging panel. These views in no way reflect the views of Open Mic UK, and are published with a view to being beneficial to the performing acts. Please take the feedback on board with a view to helping in the future.

Unsigned Music Basildon Feedback – 16 and under category

Bobby Shepherd – Very mature voice and a great start to the show. Song could have been a bit more contemporary. Needed more stage presence but demonstrates great promise.

Leanne Collard – Watch control with longer notes and the movement in note structure as it wondered off the notes but a lovely tone and wonderfully confident.

Morgan Dilangu – Again song choice was a little disappointing perhaps something with a bit of character rather than a belty number? Performance and confidence came through in the end.

Leonnie Gilpin – Looked great, struggled on the high notes, but potential is there for all to see just need to pick a song to really suit your range or develop your range.

Dana Ali – so young so time to really develop but today struggled to be vocally crisp so take care to be pitch perfect. Liked the fact she performed and used the stage.

Ellie Brewer – Having seen a number of acts do this song as a cover this was easily the best lovely expression and character. She needs and image that makes her stand out.

Abbie Broom – Would have benefitted from more dynamic to the performance it needed to be more interesting.

Andria Michaelas – Nice voice, good song choice but needed a performance!

Chloe Golding – Watch the breathing but what a talent, lovely diction and tone. Felt like a strong connection to the track.

Callum Rafferty – Needs a more distinctive image to make sure he stands out. Great voice and ability backed up with a nice performance. Confident playing to back up the vocals and only 13! Wow.

Jemma Page – Lovely voice would have liked to have heard something more modern and image to match.

Jemma Pollard – Good impact from the start with a very strong voice with character would have like to have seen better connection with the song at times Jemma let the song run away.

YMF – Needed to have more confidence in the movement on stage, could have been good but at times came across as a ramble. Tempo of the track should have been faster.

Clarice Parrott – Good harmonies and balance between Clarice and guitarist who was really solid. Got a little Irish Folk twang to the vocal which added an edge.

Kayleigh – Another cracking voice this has been a very strong final, Kayleigh needs to perform though! Use the hands and expression in the face.

Lily May – song choice was too big! Diction was unclear at the start too, pick a more comfortable song going forward better to nail it than be unrealistic and not nail it.

Unsigned Music Basildon - Further Feedback

Emma Jo – Just probably lacked a bit of maturity in the voice that quite a number of the acts in this final have demonstrated. Vocal strained in places and would have liked to seen her bring in more dynamics.

James Graham – Would have liked to have seen James embrace a character or image to reflect the song. Careful of the vibrato, best to sing it straight.

Rosie Elaine Lumbard – A very jolly song choice, she could have performed a little more in that vibe and worked the dynamics the song gave.

Naomi – Fantastic original song! Looks great, work on the cover it wasn’t on the same standard as the original but made it your own.  Definite star in the making very talented and original.

Sally-Ann – Wow this her own song? Could see that being given a pop/urban make over and doing extremely well. Watch posture when performing get that swagger and enjoyment in early.

Maxine – Didn’t think the song choice suited Maxine as well as it could. Sounded strained in places and possibly impacted on concentrating also on performance.  Remember to smile more.

Zac Hurst – Another good original which he used to good effect after the cover. Possibly a little repetitive towards the end. Lots of confidence to match a strong voice.

Stacy Adams - Song was too big and suffered from pitch issues in places.

Sophie Wojna – Great confidence working the crowd from the start. Worked the stage well and scored very highly with the Judges. Watch the video back as sometimes the expression in the face is a little ugly but this is a little thing you can work out.

Jasmine Elcock – Don’t mistake cute factor for genuine talent, take care of the high notes and sing something more contemporary and will be even better. Another star in the making.

Sophie Nixon – Fantastic choice of cover! Remember to perform more and use the stage. Also think about an image that will make you stand out.

The guest act for the 16 and under category was Danica Hunter, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances of her bubbly original style pop. 

Unsigned Music Basildon, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the Basildon Regional Finals will now be performing in the live Area Final Showcase on 27^th November in Bedford Come along to see the best unsigned talent!

All acts are competing to make it to the Grand Final on January 21^st at Live Fest, London’s biggest indoor festival!

Don’t miss your chance to perform in front on industry professionals! You can enter Open Mic UK now!