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Previous winners include Birdy!

Open Mic UK took to the stage last weekend for the Hampshire heats of their live music competition. The live music contest has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned musicians in the region.

Successful auditionees in Hampshire performed at Highlight 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 live music in Hampshire were Stuart Slater from Slater Drum School, local magazine editor Martin Perry, international singer Rosalind Fountain, Dielle Lodrick from Igloo Music, Rose Paul from St Pauls Lifestyle, and editor for Sussex newspapers Phil Hewitt.

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.

Live Music Hampshire – Feedback for 23 and over category singers

Richard Godfrey– Nice voice and good tempo, well controlled. You really need to think about your image to move to the next level, but a likeable easy style. (Extended ending not necessary Richard!)

Bella Nicholas– Great attention to image. Your chosen genre is safe, but you do it well. (Aim for greater stage craft to reflect the strong vocal presentation)

Robin Courtnage– Strong vocal and a good act overall. You need however to engage more – more visual contact with the audience, but chosen style correct for you. Well done.

Danielle– Fab image and many positive aspects Danielle, but not all pitching consistent tonight unfortunately. I would be interested to see you again after a period of vocal training and support

Mysti– Lovely look and voice. Think about staging more - especially if choosing musical.

John Llewellyn– Split the judges....think about your image to reflect the style but enjoyed the original.

Catherine Barrett– Really like the voice and you held the longer durations with some authority and expression. Watch pitch movement at breaking point....

Jal Blaze– Good audience participation! You have bags of energy but work on diction. Split the judges right down the middle. You also need to target your style at a specific audience to achieve your potential.

Linzi – Great delivery for this style, and your voice type. Definitely a stronger act tonight but there is room for theatre to enhance your performance further.

Nathan Harris– A brave attempt Nathan – some good vocal control and tone quality, but timing and pitching issues tonight unfortunately.

Gloria Miller– Great personality and energy in performance – consider developing use of movement and physical communication.

Half Chinese– Unusual, original, enjoyable, something totally different.

Live Music Hampshire – Further Feedback

Jon Santas– Your voice has potential and you have a nice image. Develop stage craft and try to manage your nerve Jon. This detracted initially although you warmed into it.

The Rush– Confident performance but your aggressive style of delivery did not suit the first song. There is better material to reflect your stage persona.

Laura Lost– Use more intonation! Good effort and top half today.

Quackhouse– Loved it – what a breath of fresh air. Keep focused and they could go all the way!

Hayley Marie– emotional, controlled and delivered with dynamic shape and poise. Well done! Will go through tonight

Graham Carr– Quite liked the image and dealt with the technical hitch without detracting. Second song lost momentum then picked up in individual style. Overall a  mixed bag, but could be good enough. You will need to be a little more polished in the next round

Sara C– Loved the look! An established sense of performance here, with a nice vocal tone. You would do well as solo or fronting a band so like the versatility.

The guest act for the day was Fdot1, who treated the crowds to brilliant performances of his original upbeat hip hop.

Live Music Hampshire, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the Hampshire Regional Finals will now be performing in the live Area Final Showcase on 27^th November at Highlight in Portsmouth. 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!