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Previous winners include Birdy!

Singing opportunity in the Midlands Open Mic UK has been on the search for talent as singers took to the stage last weekend. The music competition has provided industry feedback for the best unsigned musicians in the region.

Successful auditionees in Birmingham performed at The NEC 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 singers in the Midlands were Ben Sidwell from BBC Birmingham, Dutch Van Spall from Big Help Management, journalist Juanita Fountain, vocalist Cathy Compton, choreographer Tanya Anderson, Tony White from Born in a Born Studio 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 opportunity Midlands Feedback for the 23+ age category

Naomi Mighty– Great image and star quality. Good performance but try and make own material stronger. Slick performance – used the stage well and connected with the audience.

Nicole Blaze– Good stage show with plenty of energy. Tracksuit and heels? Interesting. Diction on the rap needs a little attention. Engaged with the audience well. Confidence good to see.

Louise Spiteri– Love the intentional mix of styles but guitar playing too harsh. Think acoustic. Good vocals but performance on the whole needs more work. Liked the arrangement.

Verb Allies– Decent original but there’s a certain chemistry missing. Needs more energy. Love the rhythm but don’t know if you guys have star quality and versatility.

Sheena McHugh– Don’t get the styling. Very glamorous girl though. Think most people would have been looking at that rather than listening to your very good vocals. Lovely rich voice, very Celine Dion.

Brent Lee– Good image and love the take on Gnarls Barkley but guitar playing needs to be a little more expansive. Tuning really needs to be done before you come on stage the whole thing lost momentum.

Delores– Decent song. Good stage act. Strong vocals but would have liked some softer dynamics. Get fiercer with your performance to bring some more attitude. Love your confidence.

Habz Dizzle– Work in progress. Looked uncomfortable on stage. Needs some more dynamics as a bit monotone at present. Vary your pitch more. Performance seemed very brief!

Yanks – Great image but better on his own the 2^nd guy looked like he was another planet. Good audience rapport in the first song but better on your own. Hype Man needs more Hype!

Kezia Johnson– Needs more stage presence. Good song. Good confidence and very soulful but was on stage for twice as long as any other act which was a little unfair.

Alex Round– Cover a little too straight, no personality in it. Original much better. You’re a little rough around the edges although very enjoyable to watch. Lacked a little conviction.

Cinzia Spiteri– Grand image. Well choreographed. Needs a lot more work but the voice is there and well done for trying something different. Dancers worked well but need to work on facial performance.

Singing opportunity Midlands – Further feedback

Dominic– Very sweet but a little corny and not an original song to sing. Well performed nonetheless. Sexy, romantic, wonderful, enjoyable but cheesy. Plenty of emotion in the performance.

Jem Fontanlet– Voice is very good. Image is very good but there’s something missing in the act. Strange choice of outfit, didn’t work with the song. Don’t try too much with vocal tricks.

Kevin Haywood– Nicely dressed and great to see him have his moment, but needed more to stand out in a competition like this. Needs to perform to the audience, seemed a little nervous.

Kraft– Nice effort and energy on stage. Never thought I’d hear Bonkers in a Wolverhampton accent! Passionate message. Musically it was too lacking to back up the message though. Good luck!

Melissa Wright– Nice song choice. Thought the down on knees moment was a bit out of context but good passion, a bit over the top. Beautiful vocals. Looked great, nice choice of outfit.

Pete Boddis– Very listenable chap. Nice playing and a good original song. A refreshing performance this is proof that you’re never too old to chase your dreams.  Lovely voice I felt your emotion.

Sarah Mattis– Not the most inspiring song choice. Well acted out though. Use more of the stage to bring more engagement. Fabulous commercial voice. Work on your look, maybe go for something sharper.

Soulcial Misfit– Nice original song and an interesting spin on the cover. Try and make the transition smoother next time to keep momentum. Need to work on vocals and the energy of the performance.

The Gar– Loved these guys what a great original. Great chemistry and stage performance. Voices work well together. Slick and well-executed and with good humour as well.

Halos– Think about a synchronised image. Harmonies need refining. Think about choreography and routines to bring more energy. A very inspirational song but needs more wow factor. 

David Busby– Nice vocals and good playing. Very clean and engaging. Not sure the cover complimented his voice. Work on your vocals to polish and perfect. Make sure the act isn’t an impersonation.

Charlie Dee– Very entertaining and very much engaging for the lads. Watch timing and phrasing this was a little sloppy at times. Good technique and stage show. Full marks for energy and enthusiasm.

Owen Doyle– Needed to be smoother between the two tracks. Nice playing but engage with the audience more. Good strong vocals and stage presence. Owen looks like a boy band member.

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

Singing Opportunity Midlands, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the Birmingham Regional Finals will now be performing in the live Area Final Showcase on 27^th November at The Corn Exchange 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!