Live and Unsigned is a national music competition for unsigned bands, vocal groups and solo acts to perform live. With over 10,000 registrations for the second year in succession, it is the biggest music talent search outside that certain ITV show. The competition’s unique format allows the UK's break through acts to perform in their own genre and style, encouraging the acts taking part to be individual and original. The competition’s aim is to find potential recording artists.

Competitors apply online and if successful they will be invited to perform live at auditions for a place in the Live shows and The Live and Unsigned regional finals. Acts then perform Live at the regional finals battling it out all around the UK to reach the National Grand final.

The acts competing in the National Grand final have the opportunity to be crowned the UK’s best Live and Unsigned act. The successful winning act will be offered a recording and management contract with up to £20,000 investment to release their single with Future Music.

The winners will additionally have the opportunity to tour across the UK, playing up to 100 gigs including some well known festivals. The 2007 competition was broadcasted on ITV (see ITV coverage) and for 2008 it is planned to be broadcast at prime time on Sky’s new channel Red TV.

For an application to enter the 2009 competition and an audition place go to the ‘to enter’ page to secure a place in next year’s auditions. Due to the high volume of those wishing to audition there is a 500 act limit per region. Registering in advance will secure your audition and avoid disappointment.

Live and Unsigned is a competition that not only finds talent, but gives opportunities and exposure to bands, groups and singers. The competition offers the competitors the opportunity to perform live to capacity audiences, allowing the act’s live ability to improve and develop to a professional standard. Additionally, the Grand final provides competitors with the prospect of impressing the celebrity judges and many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry.

JUDGING

The judges will be looking primarily at musical ability, standard of written material and performance capability. The act’s image must be one that’s distinctively Individual and original, retaining an air of professionalism in performance and persona.

The judges will be seeking an act that has the potential to be signed for management to sell effectively. Subsequently, motivational skills are essential. The competitors who can sell themselves to those around them will give themselves every opportunity to win Live and Unsigned.

AUDITIONS

All audition dates are for bands, groups (including duets) singer/songwriters and solo artists to audition. On the day of the audition you will be asked to prepare a performance of up to 2 minutes in front of a professional judging panel.

If successful, the judges will select you along with the other best competitors at auditions to go through to compete in the Live shows and the regional finals of the competition. These shows take place in the same town or City as the audition.

LIVE SHOWS; THE REGIONAL FINALS

The successful competitors from the auditions will be asked back to perform in the Regional finals in front of an audience and judging panel. The performance will need to be their own original song with backing track or live support. The contestant has the choice to include backing singers or dancers if they so wish.

At the Live shows the contestants will be competing for a place in the National Showcase Grand Final. Those obtaining the highest scores from the judges marks and the audience votes will progress through to the National Grand final. The contestants with the highest Judges marks will also automatically go through to the Final.

NATIONAL SHOWCASE GRAND FINAL

The top contenders from each region will compete in the Live and Unsigned National Grand Final. The Live and Unsigned Grand Final is the climax of the whole competition and will feature the finest bands, groups and singers from the competition along with a fantastic line up of celebrity guests performing, appearing and judging.

In 2007 the Grand final's for both age categories were a 2,000 capacity sell out, which included guests from recording agencies and the music business, involving A&R from major record labels.

THE WINNERS

Regional winners will perform at the National showcase final and will compete to be the best solo artist or the UK's best Live and Unsigned band of 2009. One of these acts will become overall winner of the Live and Unsigned competition and win a recording and management contract with up to £20,000 investment to release their single and record their album with Future Music.

The winners will be crowned the UK's best Live and Unsigned acts in front of a capacity crowd, including many professionals from within the music industry. They will be thrust into the media spotlight through television, radio and the press and be invited on the UK Live and Unsigned Tour.

TO ENTER LIVE AND UNSIGNED 2009  click here.