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Previous winners include Birdy!

Singing Contests in the North East, such as Open Mic UK, have discovered the best unsigned singers in the region as singers took to the stage last weekend. The singing contest has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned singers 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 North East singing contest 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.

Singing Contests North East Feedback for the 17-22 age category

Danny Bramfitt – Had the look but vocally needs work. A good stage performance. Song choice suited your voice and you clearly thrived on being on stage.

Kirstie Baxter – Looks good and performed the song to the audience. Could have used the stage better. Great voice but would have liked to have seen you enjoy yourself more.

Sheona McQue – Don’t think the spin on Hallelujah worked. Sounded better with more pace. American accent creeping in at times.

Jacob Scott William – Good cover choice but put your own interpretation on it to show me your personality. Nice guitar skills and the Take That song really suited you.

Brigid Mhairi – Good megamix with good beats. Would have been more explosive with a funky guitar player. Your not American so the accent in the ad-libs are a bit cringey.

Snaps – Language a bit inappropriate for a family show on a Saturday afternoon. Think about your audience lads. Great rapping but not sure about the singing.

Emma Louise Moutrey – Don’t stand so far back on stage. Engage with the audience more. Nice vocals and a great mix of songs but would have liked to hear a more upbeat song in there.

Jess Wilson – Top marks for image very unique, and she can play too. Good song choice not an obvious cover. Good pitch, timing and stage presence.

Jobe Lewis – Not terribly engaging it’s a touch song to sing accapella without the guitar. Well sung nonetheless but you pull some very funny facial expressions.

Lauren McFarlane – Nice cute image would have preferred something with more pace. Well performed and you have a great confidence on stage.

Libby Hancock – Playing on the keyboard a bit too basic to be effective. Libby’s 2^nd song showed more of her personality. Big notes, great performance and she looked great.

Singing Contests North East – Further Feedback

Louise Devlin – Looked very nervous. Have faith in your ability you have a unique voice and with more performance experience you can be really good. A really interesting voice.

Peter Skeen – Great image, great vocals. Something special about Peter. Would like to hear him with full backing though rather than such a relaxed performance.

Quinn Blake – Epically big voice. Felt the emotion of the song. Great confidence on stage he really brought his ‘A game’ today.

Thomas McFarlane – A bit static on stage. Work the performance area.  Flat at times but good in others. Some tuning issues make sure you warm up properly in future.

Chloe Elliot – Should have worked the stage more. A decent vocal but needed more spark. Think about bringing impact to your performance to stand out.

La Voix – Good voices but the image needs to be coordinated more. Needed more passion in the performance. No arm movements all very static. Nice song choice.

The guest act for the day was Hatty Keane, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances. 

Singing Contests North East, 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!