Live and Unsigned Frequently Asked Questions

AUDITIONS

How do I sign up to Live and Unsigned?

To enter Live and Unsigned you have to fill out an online application form that can be found here. To enter, fill out your act details, contact details and state where you would like to audition.

Is there a fee to enter?

Yes, for 2012 the entry fee is just £5 for solo acts and £10 for bands. 

Why is there a charge for auditions?

The fee covers costs such as administration, venue hire, hiring in a PA system, traveling costs and staff to run the audition event. Running a competition as large as Live and Unsigned costs a considerable amount of money and the competition wouldn’t run without this small charge.

How long should I allow for auditions? 

We advise you give yourself plenty of time to arrive, but once you have arrived you should ideally aim to register in 15-30 minutes before your allocated time. Most cases you will audition in your allocated time, but if it’s extremely busy this may over-run, so you could be seen straight away or in extreme circumstances it may take up to around an hour and a half. Results are generally given within 30 minutes of auditioning. So please be patient but the whole process for most cases normally takes around 2 hours.

Where can I enter from?

Registrations are accepted from all over the UK.

Is there an age limit?

No. However if you are under 16 years old you must inform your parents or guardian that you are entering the competition.

What kinds of music can enter?

We are open to all genres! From solo acts and bands to vocal groups. Whether you’re into Pop, R’n’B, Rock or Acoustic, anyone with original material can enter Live and Unsigned.

Can I sing a cover?

The competition is geared towards original artists who write their own material. However covers can be performed. We do encourage, if singing a cover, that you make it as original and creative as you can as one of the Judges criteria is originality.

Is there a deadline for entries?

Over 10,000 acts enter every year, so we advise you enter the competition as early as possible. Auditions each year begin in January so we strongly advise you enter as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Click here to Enter now!

What’s the audition format?

After you complete and send your registration form, you will be sent an email confirming your audition details, so please ensure this is firmly in all performers’ diaries! All acts are auditioned live in front of an industry judging panel, therefore you will be required to perform live.

What is expected of you if you enter?

Live and Unsigned provides a platform to help bands and acts get professional and get noticed.  You are expected to make the most of this by working hard to; get press and publicity to support your participation in the competition, galvanise fans and friends to support you, practice hard and take onboard feedback were applicable.

If you are a band or act that just wants to turn up and see what happens, then this competition isn’t for you. We are looking for serious acts and bands with talent and a strong work ethic, both of which are essential for being successful.

How long should my audition piece be?

Prepare a song of your choice up to 2 minutes in length and no longer. On the day of the audition you will be asked to prepare a performance of up to 2 minutes and no longer. We recommend you keep your intro and instrumentals to a minimum and perform the best part of your song at the start. It’s all about first impressions at auditions, so ensure you pay attention to your image and always put the best of your song in the intro for maximum impact and get the chorus in early! The auditions are closed to the public and will be in front of a professional judging panel. If you are stopped during your audition this simply means the judges have seen enough of the performance to make a decision.

What equipment do I need to bring to the audition?

An entire backline is provided at the auditions, courtesy of Blackstar Amps and TC Electronics, so bands can literally plug in and play. Microphones including radio mics will also be provided thanks to TC Helicon. If you want to use any additional instruments, e.g. keyboard or cajon please inform the webteam before your audition and ensure you bring equipment with you on the day of your audition.

Backline specification: -

• TC Electronics BG500 500 Watt combo bass amps
• Blackstar HT soloist 60 Watt valve combo amps
• Natal drum  kit - 5-piece kit including single kick drum and pedal, tom's low, mid and high, snare, hi-hat, crash and ride cymbals. 

Drummers will need to bring drum sticks. You may bring a double bass pedal if it is integral to the overall sound of the song, bear in mind you will only be playing a maximum of 2 minutes.

Who judges the auditions?

Judges are made up from National Radio 1, Kerrang, NME, BBC Introducing, Regional Press & record labels. For a full list of judges please click here.

Which venues are you using?

We use the best venues in the UK including the Birmingham NEC, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sheffield City Hall and of course the opportunity to play at the best music venue in the world The O2 in London.. click here now for the opportunity to play at The O2!

For a full list of venues click here.

What happens if I am successful at the auditions?

If you are successful at the auditions you will go on to perform at the live Regional Final showcase. The Regional Final showcase will be in the best venue in your region and you will be performing in front of a live audience and music industry judging panel.

How many acts get through at auditions?

This amount varies as each audition has differing number of acts attending. Judges will select the best acts to go through to the showcase final on the day. The general rule is – if you’re talented enough to make it, you’ll go through, we NEVER turn away talent.

I have applied to enter but haven’t heard back?

Please check your junk folder and spam emails before contacting us. If you are still unable to find your confirmation please contact us.

To audition for Live and Unsigned click here 

LIVE SHOWS

Why is there a deposit to pay for Regional Final showcases?

Live and Unsigned want to ensure that the acts who take part in the competition are as dedicated to their music as we are. Charging a deposit ensures that acts are serious about the competition, try their best and turn up to play for their live showcase. Experience has shown that if we do not charge a deposit some acts will drop out of their showcase, leaving us with an empty slot and an opportunity which could have been given to another act.

Will I get my deposit back?

All acts will receive their deposits back and this will be returned on the day of the Live Show subject to them satisfactorily turning up to perform, making an effort and competing as asked. 

Do I have to sell tickets?

All acts that make it successfully past the auditions will be given 25 tickets to sell for their live Regional Final Show. Live and Unsigned has been designed to help acts progress and provide a platform to gain as much exposure as possible, this means that you are expected to demonstrate a fan base. Acts are asked to try their best. 

How much are tickets to the live shows?

Tickets to Regional and Area Finals are £8 per show or £10 for an all day ticket which allows entrance into all shows. The show will last approximately 90 minutes and will also include a special guest performance, plus all the best unsigned acts in your area. Alongside this line-up Judges from the music industry including National Radio 1, Kerrang, NME, BBC Introducing, Regional Press & Record Labels will also be present.  

Want to play in front of these Judges? Get your music heard by the right people, what better way than to perform in front of them LIVE?... Enter now!

Is there an age restriction on fans coming to watch my show?

There are no audience age restrictions. Under 18’s may need to be accompanied by an adult. Children under three are free of charge and may share a seat with an adult, proof of age will be required, we would like to advise that the shows are not a suitable environment for any persons under three. All venues are seated and have disabled access.

How does the voting system work?

In order to progress to the National Final at The O2 you must be in the top Judges’ scores. Only the winner and best runners-up in each showcase Final will progress. Those acts not in the highest Judges’ scores will be eliminated before counting of the audience vote.

From the top Judges acts; their scores will be ranked and added to the audience voting, (audience get to cast two votes using their tickets by stating who they think should progress) which will also be ranked. The acts with the combined highest ranking from audience and Judges’ votes will progress to the Final.

Is there text voting?

There is no text voting at the Regional and Area Finals. The only time text voting comes into play is for the Wildcard and Grand Final, where it is simply not practical to receive and count votes in any other way.

What is a wildcard?

If you are unsuccessful at the Regional Finals, there is still an opportunity for one or two acts in each region to progress in the competition, as you will be thrown a wildcard in the form of a public vote. Each act is handed an individual wildcard number and your fans can vote for you via a text vote. The person with the most votes after a 2 week voting period has ended will progress through the competition.

How many rounds are there?

After being successful at auditions you will play at the Regional final showcase. If successful there you will make the Area Final and compete for a place at The O2.

What prizes are in store?

Live and Unsigned is a music contest like no other, you can win the opportunity to play at the best venues in the country, perform in front on music industry Judges and win festival slots plus the small matter of playing The O2 and winning some fantastic prizes.... This is why you should enter this competition, click here now!

Prizes also include a recording and management contract, world tour, festival slots, equipment, studio time and much more! For more information visit the prizes page of the website.

Are Regional Finals pay to play?

No! There is no minimum amount of tickets to sell and you will not have to pay for any unsold tickets. What we do ask is that you try your best to get your fans to attend the events!

How long do we play for at the Regional/Area Final showcase?

The event is a competition and a showcase to industry Judges, it is not a gig. Each band or act is asked to play a short set of two songs both an original song and a creative cover song.

Why do we have to perform a cover?

It is important to remember that you are performing to an audience that you probably haven’t played to before, and hearing just original songs all for the first time is not likely to be the most engaging when it comes to the general public; so in order to make it easier for bands and acts to relate with the audience we ask them to perform a creative cover in addition to the best original song they have written. 

If your question is not answered above, please feel free to contact us here.

ABOUT US