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Previous winners include Birdy!

Music contests in Newcastle, such as Open Mic UK, have discovered the best unsigned music in the region as singers took to the stage last weekend. The music contest has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned musicians in the region.

Successful auditionees in Newcastle performed at The Journal Tyne 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.

Judging the music contest in Newcastle were Lloyd Watson who is an entertainment writer for various publications including the BBC, Newcastle Green Festival organiser Nina Ritson, Ian Thompson from White Wolf Recording Studio, vocal coaching experts Hannah Taylor, Julie Miles and Helena Davison-Webber and Head of A&R at Future Music Ben Price.

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.

Music Contests Newcastle Feedback – 16 and under category

Alexander Hall – Could have picked a more original song. Adele very overdone and not the best song to bring impact. Really important to set your mic position right it was too high up your face.

Alice Jane Charlton – Good use of stage and image is decent. Sometimes your voice sounds a little forced and unnatural. Work on subtlety by adding dynamics.

Chloe Fennell – Good to have an accompaniment, better than a backing track. Should have worked the stage more to bring engagement. Nice original song. Well done!

Ellie Gillin – Hard to stand out in a show with so many performers when you choose a slow song. Hit some good notes though. Got stronger as she went along.

Melinda Baptista – A bit static on stage and nerves came through at times. Lovely natural tone on lower notes, careful not to sound American on some notes.

Skye Costello – Good stage performance but voice weak in parts. Looks the part. Your diction gets lost when singing quicker sections. Put your own style on the song.

Tara – Good original look. A tough song when nervous hit some notes but not others. Image is good work on putting your own spin on the cover song.

Alana Dann – Good image. Don’t impersonate Alanis Morrisette it needed her own take on the song. Song conveyed the lyrics well. Got into the performance really well.

Alice Gakhar – Wrong song choice for her voice. Too big in places. Go for a more edgy look. Well done but would have liked to have seen more of an impact performance.

Amelia Mara – Liked the theatre image with a twist of edge. A good stage performance. Love your passion you can feel it in the air. Great diction. This girl has got great potential.

Charlotte Lewis – Felt the song it was well acted out. Could have put her own spin on the song a little though. Not enough stage presence. Careful not to shout the louder parts of the song.

Cortney Dixon – Not sure on the outfit I think it goes too far. The panel had contrasting views on image. Cover a little straight needed more flavour. Well performed though.

Evie Plumb – Star quality is there to see. Performs to the crowd well. Be careful don’t let an American accent creep in. Loved the sultry voice. Class!

Tonicha – Struggled with timing at the start. More rehearsal needed perhaps. Used most of the stage which was good to see.  If you struggle to pitch add a pitching note to the start of the song.

Jamie Welch – Good image and good song choice to suit his voice. Americanisations creeping in. Perhaps go a tone lower to stop you straining in bridge and chorus.

Jessica Harrison – Nice accompaniment. Song choice all too common but did suit the violin and guitar. Lovely to hear live harmonies. Put a lot of effort in.

Kathryn Dowson – Great image. Nice cover choice and decent original. Quite competent performer but not exciting enough at times.  Perhaps vary guitar strumming pattern.

Kirsty McGuckin –Well performed hit some great notes early then missed a few. Put a nice flavour on the song I liked it. Watch breathing technique midway through words and phrasing.

Lewis Harley – Not sure his voice is suited to theatre. Great note at the end though. You are so passionate just make sure you relax on the lower notes.

Lucia White – Cute factor. Would benefit on vocal tuition to work on scale. Work the stage more but overall very good. Lots of potential and a lovely performance.

Molly Scott – Again very cute with a great image. Not the strongest of voices needs a bit more control. Great use of stage and you pronunciation is fabulous.

Music Contests Newcastle – Further Feedback

Oli Patterson – Try to make your voice more original. It’s strong but there are elements of impersonation in there. Try not to frown when you sing, be sure to relax.

Olivia Walker – More control in the vocal needed. Nice song choice but needed a more subtle vocal. You move very well across the stage. Your natural vibrato is good.

Immy Williams – A very good original. Would have liked 2^nd song to be on keyboards too. Work the stage more on cover song. Your vocals are confident. Take care to relax on lighter notes.

Christian Chomse – A cute song choice but flat vocally in places. Hit good notes. Could look a bit more edgy. Nerves at the start but you grew in confidence.

Berri Mae Handy – Lacked spark. Needed more performance and impact. You communicate the song very well. A few bad habits but there is potential.

Luke Coulson –Careful not to be an Ed Sheeran tribute put your own spin on it. Nice guitar playing. A very charismatic performance. Connect more with the audience.

Lily Brooke Widdowson – Nice haunting voice. Nice original song good to see some individuality. Good cover song choice good to hear something different.

The Peppermints -  An abundance of cuteness but not sure collectively they have a recording sound at the moment. Tempo change was good and needed. These girls did really well.

The guest act for the day was Open Mic UK 2010 under 18’s winner Hatty Keane, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances of her original music.

Music Contests Newcastle, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the Newcastle Regional Finals will now be performing in the live Area Final Showcase on 11^th December at Dewsbury Town Hall. Come along to see the best unsigned talent!

All acts are competing to make it to the Grand Final on January 21^st at The O2!

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