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Previous winners include Birdy!

Music contests in Surrey and North Hampshire, 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 Surrey and North Hampshire performed at The Princes Hall in Aldershot 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 live music in Surrey and North Hampshire were Judging the unsigned music in Aldershot (near Guildford) were Dan Hornsea from Garrison FM, Louis Sellers from Anton Road Studios, Paul Ellis-Macey from Big Tree Music, Vocal coach expert Sabrina Findlay, Ben Fosbury from Hedset Productions 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.

Music Contests Surrey and North Hampshire Feedback – for the 17-22 age category

Katie Gates – Good use of stage but performance was over animated don’t often have to say that! Perhaps tone it down so a bit more appropriate.

Raw Savant – Leave your crutch alone and make the lyrics clearer. Nice audience engagement, but perhaps over played it! Song needed a hook.

Grace Lee – Song could have been a little more contemporary. Performance needed more expression, serious lack of performance especially in the instrumental breakdown what a missed opportunity.

Abigail Scott – Good singer with a fantastic voice and mic control, but recommend more performance in front of the mirror and/or filmed to work on the facial expression as came across a little harsh. Cover wasn’t contemporary.  

Beki Robinson – incredible with a very sincere performance and made the cover her own. Perhaps could have mashed it into another cover as once we got the style of the cover it did get a little sickly.

Emily Barrett - Again good to see someone making a cover their own. Smile more you have a lovely smile.

Harrie Taylor – Watch diction sometimes the words were difficult to hear. Again, well sung, just need to put more emotion into the song.

Artit – Nice tone and gravel texture to his voice but better dynamics would have made it more interesting. More expression in the face would have made it more engaging. Performance got stronger as the performance went on.

Music Contests Surrey and North Hampshire Further Feedback

Rima – Strong start and good swagger to the performance. Pitch issues crept in as the performance went on and it failed to maintain the standards set at the start. A little more vocal technique needed but the performance was great!

Matt de Freitas – Very talented but the nature of the cover choice makes it very difficult to put his own stamp on it.

Bella – The original and cover could have complemented each other better. Image was good, but will need to work on bringing more power to the vocal.

Shannon Campbell Lynch – One of the better singers today but as nice as she looks needs to dress not like she’s going to a family function. Need to not be so shy and show off your talent.

Clare Dove – Original was awesome, moves were good, performance was spot on.

Funkyy Element – Good adaption of the cover, couple of dancers with well rehearsed choreography would have enhanced the performance. Worked the instrumental gap well with some audience interaction.

Hannah Perrin – Loved the tone and engagement which was spot on. Dynamics also very well worked to drive through the message of the song.

Sese – Loved the performance and presence on stage, don’t let the mic control let the performance down this must improve.

The Jesse Dansons – This was excellently worked and had real impact! Really well worked and timed performance.

Music contests Surrey and North Hampshire, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the Surrey and North 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!