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Previous winners include Birdy!

The UK's largest talent competition for singers and songwriters travelled to London this week to see the best acts in the area battle it out for a chance to play at the grand final at the O2 in January.

We were absolutely blown away by the high quality of all of the acts at this final, who performed at the Beck Theatre in Hayes on Saturday 20th November.

Here the judges give us some feedback from the event, but remember it could all change at the grand final.

Please note: views expressed by Judges are opinions and in no way reflect the views of Open Mic UK. 

The judges were:  Singer songwriter Mesha Bryan who has written for pop princesses Kylie Minogue and Victoria Beckham, Vocal tutor Rob Palmer, Kiki Militsis from the Institute of contemporary music performance and Future Music’s Chris Grayston.

Dai Roberts;

A passionate performance, good transition between songs and nice audience interaction, needs a bit more vocal dynamics, especially with a song like Dirty Diana, great guitar work, nice image.

Sarah Wilson Blackwell;

Nice guitar work and made the cover her own, but needs to work on audience engagement and tuning.

Bandana;

Good version of a song - could work on strengthening vocals and need to relax a bit more, very entertaining and fun to watch, nicely confident.

Adam Baine;

Good performance, but did the same songs as last round – remember to keep it varied, people always want to see a fresh performance that show off all your skills.

Daniela Vallejo;

Nice voice, but this was too close to the original to show off any unique talent, the judges would like to hear more of you, and see what you can produce that’s your own, lovely tone to voice but should be careful with diction.

2 Badda;

Energetic performance and good stage presence, the audience and judges loved it; nice use of MUZU lyrics and good use of the stage- remember that if you’re at the front you’re out of the stage lights, performance started strong.

Empress;

Loved your voice, nice to see a bit of reggae, but you needed to connect with the audience more and your music was begging out for more movement than just walking up and down the stage.

JD Kelly;

Infectious smile and good vocals, you reminded the judges of Kurt Cobain, need more vocal variety in your singing though.

Natty German;

The judges loved your cover version, nice original sound and voice, definitely talented.

Cheryl Roberts;

Lovely voice and decent stage presence, not sure if the cover was the right one for you, although your vocal was flawless, need to work on connecting with audience and communicating emotion of lyrics.

James Randell;

Very strong voice and good showmanship, but the judges were a bit distracted by you moving around all over the stage; probably due to nerves, cover was good, but too much like the original, nice image.

 Eliisa;

Great image, confident performer and an undoubtedly great voice, but your vocal went right to the edge at times, if you can keep the volume under control, you will have a brilliant career in music.

Poetic Justin;

Strong audience interaction, had lots of charisma and moved really well, but nerves got to you a bit and affected your vocals, with a bit of vocal training you’ll be great.

Bliss;

Good harmonies and a slick performance, the first song choice was easily the most covered song of the competition, but you came through and made it your own, well done girls.

Adam Fox;
Judges thought you were awesome, and had a lovely voice, you had the audience eating out of your hand. Judges only criticism was that you need to open your eyes a bit more! Seriously talented.

Daina Ashmore;

A good strong vocal, and a nice performance, however the competition is so tough this round that you need to blow the judges away to have a chance, you were great but need to be more individual, loved the mashup.

SHIMM1;

Great charisma, would have liked to have seen a totally original work, cleverly worked cover into original and back into cover. Nicely done and the audience loved you.

Janine Simpkin;

Nice voice, but you need to perform to the audience more, use your guitarist as support, but not as a crutch, don’t rush through the song, and let the judges hear more of that lovely voice.

Jacques Houdek;

Great big voice, and delivered beautifully, image improved since regional finals, good work Jacques it was a joy to watch.

Talia Smith;

Nice voice but performance was a bit static, need to work on presence and expression – always make the song your own.

Craig Brauns;

 Very strong guitar playing, infectious tone to voice and good personality on stage, nicely done.