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Previous winners include Birdy!

Singing competitions in Yorkshire like Open Mic UK see singers from Yorkshire, the North and the North East compete at the Yorkshire Area Final. The singing competition has provided industry feedback for all the singers competing in the competition.

Successful singing competitors in Yorkshire performed at Dewsbury Town Hall, Yorkshire 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 unsigned musicians in Yorkshire were Jenny Eells from BBC York Introducing, D:Ream singer/songwriter Pete Cunnah, Head of Future Music Chris Grayston, Rydah Straughn, an Urban Coco Magazine writer and performer who has supported the likes of Tinchy Stryder and Chipmunk,Asher Halle from Green Pepper Junction Records, founder of Harmony Music School Aubrey Robinson,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 competitions Yorkshire - feedback for the over 23 age category

Maxx– Liked that the Bradford accent still comes through. Good, engaging stage performance. The lyrics were well delivered. Not sure on the cover choice - went downhill at that point. Entertaining, but should have kept the urban feel.

Bash– A great, clear vocal performance, and you played the guitar well. A crowd pleasing cover but not the song to choose to impress the judges as it’s so overdone. A much better original song. You’re a talented singer-songwriter.

Kristian Eastwood– A genius choice of cover! Nice to see that happy hardcore hasn’t died! Good to hear it reworked into an acoustic number. Your original song has potential - I would like to hear it with a band. Engaging performer. Involves the audience.

Martin Hall– Nice bluesy number. A pleasant voice with a great delivery. Dynamics could have been improved to make it more interesting.  A likeable chap.

Mode– An original act who played well together. Loved the interaction between them. The timings were not always accurate which affected the fluidity. Rehearse and tighten it up!

Semblance– I liked the act but the cover was a little old. We’re trying to find a contemporary recording artist and it’s hard to judge them with old cover songs. Nice tempo change into the second song. Really preferred the original stuff.

K.O.G– Loved it! Great re-working of a classic track which brought it right up-to-date, and a brilliant original song. Great vocals although missed a few notes. Guitar work sounded a little messy -  perhaps K.O.G shouldn’t have gone with the guitar. Really good working of the crowd. Very entertaining.

Yannik– Good timings but the cover is a little straight. Would have liked something with more personal flavour. Well performed with lots of attitude. Dancers are coordinated and well rehearsed and added to the performance. Perhaps you could join in a little on the basic moves.

Elliot Long– Would have liked to have more of your allotted time to your original song, it sounded good. Liked the arrangement on the cover song - very well performed. You showed a great connection with the music. Good stuff!

Juanita Fountain– Well done for updating the act but this is a fairly safe song and doesn’t show off your vocal ability as much as it could. Would have liked to have seen you sing a more soulful song. Need to engage the crowd a little more. Great image and great vocal though - well done!

Singing Competitions Yorkshire – Further feedback

Matt Henshaw– Watch the Americanisation in the vocals. Great vocals and nicely sung, but would have preferred a modern cover. You need to find a unique selling point.

Bobby Houston– Nice idea to put the words behind a current hit. It lacked a certain punch though. Image is individual if not a little over the top. A great vocalist but could have used the stage area better.

Janine Andrews– A good, powerful vocal if not a little nerve affected. Well done for bringing a higher tempo to your performance. You hit most of the big notes. You moved around the stage well and have a great appearance.

Melissa T Lanorio– Great vocals. You really put your heart into the song. More stage presence needed as the performance was a little static. Need to work on timings. The song wasn’t the most testing therefore didn’t show off your strengths.

Dan Aspinall– Good voice. Pleasant original song if not a little basic in its structure. Liked the tempo change and loads of passion shown in the brave choice of cover song.

John Villegas– Something that makes you want to watch John. A very likeable chap. Nice transition into cover song. Haunting guitar riffs, but you need to convey the passion in the vocals and expression.

Sam Oliver– Decent in every category but needs something to give him an edge and to make him stand out. Very well sung and acted out. Work on engaging with the audience.

Chris Moon– Nice image. Nicely sung cover song although not the most up-to-date. Original song was better performed throughout your body. You believed in this song a lot more.

Beckie – Struggled vocally throughout. Needs some vocal tuition to strengthen up the vocal and work on the pitching. Not the best song choice to suit her style. Great use of stage. Image is a little casual, dress for the occasion.

Dean James– Great enthusiasm! Great voice. He enjoyed every moment and used the stage well. A very decent covers singer but perhaps not a professional recording artist. Keep doing what you’re doing and keep enjoying it.

Benjamin Loy– A great take on the cover but did lack timing in parts so work on that. Good accompaniment. A solid, high energy well executed performance. Well done!

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

Singing competitions in Yorkshire, Enter Now!

All successful acts at the North and North East Area Final will now be performing in the live Grand Final at London’s O2 on 21^st January. Come along to see the best unsigned talent!

Don’t miss your chance to perform in front on industry professionals! You can enter Open Mic UK now!