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Previous winners include Birdy!

Singing Opportunities in Essex, such as Open Mic UK, have discovered the best unsigned music in the region as singers took to the stage last weekend. The music competition has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned music in Essex.

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 MicUK, 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.

Singing Opportunities Essex Feedback – 17-22 category

Gavin McCluskey- Great to see performance but sometimes being subtle is best, bit over the top in places. Singing was off key in places too.

Rachel Mizzi – Looked good and moved well, but not totally on the money with the vocal a little strained in places.

Soraya Russell – Lovely voice would have been good to see her coordinate more with the backing dancers and perform with them. Started well but did loose attention towards the end so perhaps time the dynamics of the performance could be better.

Victoria Osunami – song choice was poor. Failed to connect to the song and too dated. Keep going, but think more about song choices in the future.

Becky Histed – Again a lovely voice but why such a dated song? Make sure you sustain the notes seemed to drop off the note on a regular basis.

Caroline – Sung nicely but lacked passion and performance. Got herself out of tune too often. Need to think about an image to make her stand out.

Jazz – Made the song his own, breaking down the Jacko cover superbly. Good vocal control with the exception of a small blip towards the end. Good chest head voice and falcetto however need to concentrate on connecting voices.

Jessica Bronze - Vocally needs more practice was a little below the mark.

Jonathan Luwagga – This age category is struggling to hit the levels of the 16 and unders. Song choice too dated and not on the money vocally.

Adam Duffill – Great song choice but in a crowded acoustic world need to shine with your own original songs. Original was ok needed to have more of a hook.

Arye – Nice sentiment to the song although the backing was a little swamped with Bv’s.

Cassey-Ann – Good voice but work the expression and performance more especially in the musical breakdown where it looked a little awkward.

Singing Opportunities Essex – Further Feedback

Jenz – Needs an edge something to make her stand out from the crowd, a lot of acoustic acts driving through at the moment and need something more.

Megan McKenna – Very comfortably song and a nice choice for her. One of the best vocals of today. Perhaps something more up tempo next time.

Amy Bennett- Very nice on the ear, good harmonies, nice picking on the guitar going to score well.

Natasha Lee – Everything needs an edge, image, song choice and delivery all needs looking at.

Bex Griffiths – Mic control really let you down have the mic right by your mouth holding it too far away thus sounded low in the mix.

Blackstorm Sound – Where was the cover?

Lauren Green – Conveyed the song well with a lovely vocal really powerful!

Danielle Scharpf – Lovely tone and expression just take care with the keyboard work.

Nicole Abraham – Another old song with an old feel does make it difficult to see past and judge.

Sparz – Lots of backing vocals would have been better to get in guest vocalist or backing vocalists in. Would have given more chemistry on stage and someone to bounce off.

United Solo – Changing the words of the hook probably isn’t enough to make it your own. Work on the performance more work in front of a mirror and/or get it filmed will help. Leave your nuts alone ; )

Malu and Lily – Little shaky to start with but turned it around. Harmonies are spot on! Just take care with the guitar work.

The guest act for the 17-22 category was FDot1, accompanied by Dray Delta, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances of their lively and original hip-hop.

Singing Opportunities Essex, 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!