WHAT IS LIVE AND UNSIGNED?

Live and Unsigned is the largest national music competition for original artists. It's a National competition for unsigned bands, vocal groups and solo artists to perform live. Over 10,000 acts register to audition every year making it the biggest live music talent search for original bands and acts in the UK. The competition's unique format allows the UK's break through acts to perform in their own genre and style, and the overall aim is to find potential recording artists. Live and Unsigned's uniqueness is derived from its passion for and dedication to live music. The competition not only endeavours to find talent, but gives opportunities and exposure to all acts that enter.

As well as offering entrants the chance to perform live to capacity audiences at some of the best venues in the Country, there's also over £100,000 in prizes up for grabs along the way with the winner offered a comprehensive winners package which includes; festival slots (Including representing the UK at the biggest festival in Asia I rock), UK tour exposing their music to over 40,000 people and a recording contract with Future Music, with up to £50,000 investment!

With its nationwide status, Live and Unsigned gives acts all over the UK the opportunity to compete to be the UK's best Live and Unsigned act.

JUDGING

The judges will be looking primarily at musical ability, originality and performance capability. The act's image must be one that's distinctively individual and original, and they must retain an air of professionalism on and off stage. The judges will be seeking an act that has the potential to be successfully launched in the UK as a major recording artist. Subsequently, motivational skills are essential. The competitors who can sell themselves to those around them will give themselves every opportunity of winning Live and Unsigned. Click here to see who is on the L&U Judge panel.

AUDITIONS

Apply online and, if successful, you will be invited to perform a live amplified audition piece. Auditions are held all over the UK where you will perform in front of our prestigious judging panel. If successful you will be invited to perform on the main stage at the Live and Unsigned showcase Regional finals. Auditions will be starting again in January 2011 click here for audition dates and venues. Audition places are limited, so be quick not sorry! Registering in advance will secure your audition and avoid disappointment. For an application to enter the competition go to the ‘to enter' page now to secure your audition for 2011.

THE SHOWCASE REGIONAL FINALS!

Those successful at auditions will be asked back to perform and compete in the Live and Unsigned showcase Regional finals which will be at the most prestigious venues throughout the UK. The regional final will also include all the best unsigned acts in your region in a showcase to Judges from National Radio, Kerrang, BBC Introducing, Regional Press & record labels as well as the general public. At the Live shows the contestants will be battling it out for a place in the National Grand Final and the Live and Unsigned Festival at the O2. Those obtaining the highest scores from the judge's marks and the audience votes will progress through to the Live and Unsigned Festival.

LIVE AND UNSIGNED FESTIVAL

The Live and Unsigned Festival is the climax of the competition. Incorporating the National Grand Final, the Festival is an all day event, packed full of entertainment, at the 02 in London. If an act reaches the Grand Final they will be representing their region and competing against the very best unsigned artists from across the UK in a bid to become the UK's best Live and Unsigned act. The Festival showcases the cream of the UK's unsigned talent in front of a capacity crowd and industry judges. Celebrity guests, National press, A&R, industry and Media representatives will also be present and all have the capacity to change professional music careers forever. Over £100,000 in prizes are up for grabs along the way with the winner offered a comprehensive winners package which includes; festival slots (Including representing the UK at the biggest festival in Asia I rock), UK tour exposing their music to over 40,000 people and a recording contract with Future Music, with up to £50,000 investment! The winners will be crowned the UK's best Live and Unsigned act and will be thrust into the media spotlight through television, radio and print media. With its nationwide status and passion for live music, Live and Unsigned gives unsigned acts all over the country the opportunity to compete to be the UK's best.

Radio 1 DJ Legend Annie Nightingale "This is great exposure - competing in a competition like this will get you recognised and winning it will attract great interest."

Noddy Holder "I am really looking forward to judging Live and Unsigned because I'm really interested to see a mixture of genres and it will give me a real insight into up and coming acts today"

Alex Baker, Kerrang Radio "If you're in a band and you're looking for a way to expose yourself to more people in the industry, Live and Unsigned is a good opportunity to do that, because there aren't that many avenues that have the same level of credibility."

Malcolm McLaren with reference to Judging Live and Unsigned comments "We live in a karaoke world of entertainment where there is an undeniable thirst to find the authentic. To find it is like looking for a ruby in a field of tin. It requires you to have not just intelligence and bundles of energy, but integrity. That's why I'm the judge!"

Ras Kwame, Radio 1 DJ and presenter "It's a great opportunity to expose yourself to the world. It does what it says on the tin. It's Live and Unsigned and about new talent coming through."

TO ENTER LIVE AND UNSIGNED 2011 CLICK HERE.

FOR DETAILS ON LIVE AND UNSIGNED'S PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE VODAFONE AWARDS CLICK HERE.