MUSIC SHOWCASE IN DERBY AT THE LIVE AND UNSIGNED REGIONAL FINAL SHOWCASE - DERBY FEEDBACK!

Music showcase took place in Derby as the Live and Unsigned competition came to The Riverside Centre, Derby, unsigned bands and acts showcased their music to progress in the Live and Unsigned 2012 music competition.

The music showcase judging panel at The Riverside Centre, Derby included Head of Future MusicChris Grayston, Roy Bailey from Mirac Music, Lyric Lounge Review’s Tanya Russell and Ashbourne Radio presenter Heather Cairney.

Want to play a music showcase in front of industry judges? Click here now to enter Live and Unsigned 2013.

Want to enter the music competition Open Mic UK? Click here to find out more information.

MUSIC SHOWCASE, DERBY

Well done to all the bands and acts for putting on a great show! With so much talent at the Regional Final, it was difficult for the judges to make a decision as to which successful bands and acts proceeded through to the Area Finals. Congratulations to those that made it through to the Midlands Area final on Sunday 13th May Corn Exchange, St Paul's Sq, Bedford, nr Milton Keynes, MK40 1SL, or the North & North West England Area final on Sunday 20th May, Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2TA.

For the results of which acts won free studio time, music lessons, Blackstar amps, Fret King Guitars plus festival slots amongst the prizes in Derby, click here.

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 Live and Unsigned, and are published with a view to being beneficial to the performing bands, singers and acts. Please take the feedback on board with a view to helping in the future.

MUSIC SHOWCASE 1, DERBY

Meg Barlow – Make sure you engage with your eyes, otherwise it could make it feel disengaged from the audience. She had a good image going on and plenty of potential to go far with her music if desired. Meg was a lot more confident of her original music, although still very nervy at times which came across and got the better of her.

Feedback Voice – Liked the energy with the cover and it sounding good, it is always good to win the audience over quickly with something familiar.  They were a good looking band, well presented and professional.

Rory Young – Clever layering of vocals on the loop pedal, lost it a little bit when dropping out recorded loops which lost the flow but recovered well. Also one recorded part seemed distorted.

Kick The Rabbit – Image was good but perhaps a little OTT and apart from the front man with his eccentric energy it didn’t reflect their personality so the guitarists could do with supporting the act performance wise. Musically they’ve got a good sound going on and the guitarists are sound.

Alex Tweedie – Alex has a nice tone to his voice and good eye contact throughout but it needed a more committed delivery, more performance will achieve that craft. His own song was catchy and more performance will enhance Alex.

Nuclear Safari – Front lady leads the band well with a fresh clean vocal and lead guitarist is excellent. They could look to tidy up their stage performance and coordination together with a little letting rip, but a great overall sound to the band along with a catchy song.

Alice – Alice was a good singer with a lovely tone but she needs to be able to give more expression with the performance as it is a little static which doesn’t convey the emotion as well as it could do.

Tax Loss – As you expect it is a little old school, they are a really good band and musically solid but needs a unique edge.

Young Pain – Sounded really good but facially the performance was strained it needs to be more relaxed and just let it flow! Original Born to rap was strong, reduce the repetition a little.  Has a lot of potential and loved the backing on the original.

The Blonde Mistake – They were very unified setting a good rhythm and timing throughout, good backing vocals from the drummer showing nice dynamics to the band. They really connected well with each other and the audience.

Steven Goodwin – Steven had issues at the start with timing but the tuning was nice and once he got into his stride it was nice on the ear, flowing so elegantly and just a very pleasing tone. Nice dynamics and delivery.

Vulture Culture – Like old pros they were very tight with a brilliant choice of cover, but musically needs an original edge.

T.L.L Overdrive – Strong guitar lead band, front man could probably do with some vocal support from somewhere else in the band to make a more confident performance. Vocals were good but struggled in the higher register.

Tileasha Goffe – Good sound with nice tone, however the performance was a little lacklustre, climb into with commitment and engage with the audience.

Small Town System - These guys delivered, very entertaining with excellent audience connection, good hook to the original and the cover complimented it well.

MUSIC SHOWCASE 2, DERBY

The Voyeurs – Nice distinctive tight band and a good original sounding familiar, which is good. Vocals were supported well to give a good vocal balance and connecting well with the audience.

Hayley Ahern – Lovely voice performance but felt uncoordinated on stage with the guitarist coming to the front of the stage for the main vocal parts etc.

Best Served Chilled - Loved the drummer and the band were very committed in the performance but did seem to struggle to keep in time with each other at times. Backing vocals could have been used more effectively.

Jack Fraser – Nice finger picking and good vocals. Try to engage with a more committed performance as what he is doing is good he just needs to convey the passion of the music more.

Chronicles of Zee – Front man was a very good performer but at times needs to watch his tuning. Drummer was making the drums sing in leading a tight rhythm to the band. Nice slow down with the cover which would have been better doing first up to grab the audience more than the original.

Karl Bayley – Eye contact and engagement with the audience was excellent. Conveyed both good passion and commitment with the performance also making the cover very much his own.

mTwo – Cover was poor, the boys want to perform, but needs to be that little more slicker.  Having said that there is real potential here, the song is catchy and current.  They need to work on the dynamics to make the hook cut through and time the choreography for a more disciplined routine.

One Million Fingers – Good blend and transition between cover and original with a real full sound and full vocal support throughout the band. Their own song is both polished and catchy.

Richard Curtis – Playing on keys was very strong really skilful and cover was impressive.

Riptide – Very engaging and entertaining, the band however did lose timing as they jumped into the cover. Performance was full of energy and it was that which carries them through along with the original which could be a festival anthem. Just need to tighten up to be even better.

Sophie Kilburn – One of the best versions of that cover I’ve ever heard but it is a dated song and therefore could be argued that it is not very current. Sophie has a very clear and sweet tone that will see her do well in music whatever path she takes, hopefully a more modern, individual and quirky one going forward.

 The Life and Times of the Brothers Hogg – So much potential loved the image, the violin and theme of the music. Theme very in sync with the music with a strong image. There were some tuning issues but when they got it together it was a great sound. They were very different to the majority of the bands in the competition which is good.

Majik – Good energy but needs something more visually on stage as the music is good.

The Protoneers – Good band interplay, looked like they enjoyed it with a good performance and original was catchy. Wondered if they could have played around with the dynamics more.

Ruth Discua – She connected with the songs and audience. Control of the songs was excellent changing the tempo at will. She conveyed great emotion with a lovely voice.

Them Balloons – Liked the choice of the cover, front man needs to tear it up on stage, he needs more confidence and more performance another year could see these guys going places, but presently looked a little uncomfortable on stage.

Tom Garner – Tom rounds off a great show with a seriously high standard. Tom has beautiful vocals over cheerful chords with a rich clear and crisp quality to the voice, he could however engage more but his playing is strong.

MUSIC SHOWCASE 3, DERBY

Lighthouse Project – Love the violin and overall sound however at times a little crowded and musically didn’t always need so much going on. The cover was a great choice, but changing instruments mid way was a little clumsy nevertheless very enjoyable.

The Rash – A unique sound, harmonica and drums giving it that unique blend combined with some excellent vocal harmonies and ad-libs.

Timothy J Simpson and the Monstrous Dead – Nice sound from this 3 piece and lyrics were good but was at times like they were jamming together, and there wasn’t a crowd to perform to, so work on the expression.

Mason – Music and vibe was great but the song was slightly repetitive and need to change the dynamic of the hook. More performance will help to gain confidence.

BB BlackDog – Very original and eccentric found it entertaining but unsure if it should have been on Britain’s Got Talent or not. Musically really sound but weird as hell too....

Ben McGonigal – Original had good lyrics and I liked the way he mashed up the cover, it was clever stuff. Nice soulful voice to add to the equation.

Hearing Colour – Good energy in the music and you could really see their passion in the music with a committed performance.

Lee Gough – What a brilliant version of the cover and mash up seriously loved it! Smashed it!

The Decade Runners – One of the best front men of the day, original was great and well complimented cover.

Andra Mateusa – Singer and guitarist need to work out what they are going to wear, as they weren’t on the same page. However, beautifully sung but not enough originality or difference from the original.

The Freefall - Lead vocals were strong, good harmonies from a well-rehearsed band. Original was good but cover wasn’t overly creative.

Josh Kemp – He had a great tone and connected well with the audience. Cover was a safe choice but original has a really good first verse which sets itself up for a killer hook which is needed to complete a potential hit, the chorus lyrics could be stronger keeping the tempo change similar and not so drastically different.

The Piracy – They had a good choice of cover. Front man is trying; drummer is wicked but needs more collective energy from the guitarist.

M-zee – Great energy but needs to channel it and calm the nerves. Need to work on diction as we struggled to hear what you were singing.

Departure – Really good musicians with exceptional guitar playing but got a little over-engaging on the guitars and more vocals were needed.

Zeo – Lots of personality, very likeable, song was funny and entertaining, watch the mic control as you need to take care with and to keep it consistent to your mouth because you are holding it and waving it around too much it’s contrasting to loud and quiet.

Welcome to the City – Good change up in the song, good energy and a strong song.

Lil’ J – Rapping flowed well, but you need to remember to perform to all of the audience not just your own crowd which you really connected well with.

Kb – What happened to joining in with the dancers? Needed to get more involved to connect as one act on stage rather than separate dynamics. Well-coordinated image and routine from the girls.

Hayley Rice – She had great energy but slightly struggled with her tuning.

LIVE BANDS WANTED TO IMPRESS IN DERBY

The guest act taking to the stage alongside Live and Unsigned Regional Finalists in Derby was last year’s runner-up Lucy Spraggan who wowed the crowds with her quirky original songs and creative covers.

For those acts who didn’t make it through the Regional Finals, don’t forget to use your Wildcard!All acts have been given a Wildcard in the form of a national public vote. There are two places up for grabs and just two weeks to make your mark, so keep an eye out on the website and get voting for one of those last Area Final spots!

Finally, thanks to all of those who came out in their droves to support the unsigned talent of Derby and surrounding areas – we can’t wait to see you at either of the Midlands Area final on Sunday 13th May Corn Exchange, St Paul's Sq, Bedford, nr Milton Keynes, MK40 1SL, or the North & North West England Area final on Sunday 20th May, Huddersfield Town Hall, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2TA!

If you’re an unsigned band and act and want to enter click here now or browse the site for more information.