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Previous winners include Birdy!

The best unsigned musicians in Essex have been discovered by Open Mic UK singing competition, as singers took to the stage last weekend. The music competition has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned musicians 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 unsigned musicians contest 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 Musicians Essex Feedback – 23 and over category

Kieta Heslop – Need to work the stage bit routed to the spot, first song choice was stronger than the second which was too big for her?

Rawdeal – Where’s the cover? last half your judges marks. Original was good but got to keep to the rules.

Amy Langmead – Well worked with the dancers she should have got involved more with the routine. Strong vocal but with a bit of a Butlins twang to the vocal.

Ami – Good vocal need to focus on performance from the minute you are on the stage looked a little easily distracted, movement on stage was a little awkward too so tidy these and will be much improved. Lovely finale!

Alistair Mackie – Posture looked really awkward, work on the performance and engaging the audience.

Unsigned Musicians Essex - Further Feedback

Sarah Dee – If you come in front of the monitors then you end up with no lighting on your performance. Songs could have been blended a little better but a good honest vocal and did the songs justice.

Bstar – Nice refresh of the performance with the dancers coming on at half time. Vocally sound with a nice tone

Destiny Michelle – Strong vocal with SNAP meets Titantic dancers started well but probably doing too much to keep the timing spot on throughout. Started brightly but faded especially as pushed too hard with the vocal.

FeZhe – Powerful vocal be careful not to force it and pick something more contemporary.

Joanna – Good song choice needed more feeling and passion rather than a little cabaret second song was a lot stronger which she sings better than Katy Perry! And she looked like she enjoyed it more.

Jobest – Song choice is everything and it was dated.

Mitch Daniels – Lacked dynamics to make it more interesting.

Marianne Harrington – Very rare to see rock solo acts, be great front person for a band. Great to see she was enjoying herself. Be nice to see versatility next time as performance was great.

Rose Vendetta – Needed more on stage dancers perhaps wasn’t enough of a performance.

Gary Osborne – Needed to be more expressive perhaps look at standing next time perform and bring in some movement.

Last Life – Don’t forget to not come in front of the monitors, stage lighting won’t hit you. Original needed a stronger hook but performed better than the cover.

Distinctive- Lovely full sound from just a guitar, shaker and harmonies backed up with some silky vocals very impressive. Very enjoyable cover being picky needs a bit more animation in the performance.

Tania Dee – Not sure why you’d pick such a dated song not always on the pitch either so unfortunately wrong song choice cooked it.

Stephen Aravena – Made the cover his own, didn’t feel the cover had the impact it could have achieved. 

Pretty Lies – Took a while to get going after smashing it at the auditions felt a little short changed to start with but then pulled it around to smash it. Sort out who is lead vocalist and build harmonies around that.

Lara George – One of the strongest vocalists of the day with a lovely raspy edge.

The guest act for the 23 and over category was FDot1, accompanied by Dray Delta, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances of their lively and original hip-hop.

Unsigned Musicians 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!