Judge's Talk Back From Glasgow and Newcastle Auditions

This weekend we travelled north to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Newcastle Tyne Theatre. Here the judges feedback on a few acts from the hundreds that turned up (there were too many great acts to mention!) Of course it’s all to play for at the live shows!

GLASGOW

Asher Halle, from Green Pepper Junction Records, commented, “The Cha Cha Heels ">www.myspace.com/chachaheelsuk offered something a bit different and were really exciting! Elmo ">www.myspace.com/elmofromglasgow has great vocals and were very polished. Loud ‘n’ Proud ">www.myspace.com/loudnproudmusic are very musically accomplished and Capstin Pole ">www.myspace.com/capstinpole impressed me. I think Ray ">www.myspace.com/freddiefranklinmusic is really slick and has a bright future in the industry.”

Eva Lorraine said, “ABC’s and Deal Again had excellent energy but I thought they needed a bit of polishing. Elmo demonstrated great vocals and Gillian has huge potential. The Toi ">www.myspace.com/thetoi were good to watch and Papa Pyjamas… I didn’t think the PJ’s were cool!”

Fiona Elcoat, Flying Pixie Promotions and IDB Management, thought, “I really liked The Buzz ">www.myspace.com/the-buzz I also really liked ABC’s but think they need to work on their stage presence and practice a bit more. Capstin Pole is a favourite of mine and I think they deserve more recognition. Rio Callahan’s ">www.myspace.com/riocallahan set was very uplifting and one of the best on the day. Another favourite was What The Heroes Say ">www.myspace.com/whattheheroessay they were so powerful and worked so well together. Loud and Proud will do well I think.”

Nikki Robertson, Vocal Tutor, said, “I thought Hooks ‘n’ Crooks ">www.myspace.com/hooksncrooks06 had a good sound and the right look, but they needed to tighten up. I really liked Jumpers Knee ">www.myspace.com/jumpersknee and could definitely imagine myself dancing along! Town Heroes were good, although I didn’t like the American sound to the vocals; I think they would sound so much better if they used their natural vocals. Make You needed to use less of the acoustic guitar. The Common Empire were good – although their attitude let them down. Root System, The Remedys and What The Heroes Say all performed well on the day and stood out of the crowd for me!”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music Management, said, “Cha Cha Heels were visually great and were very unique. Elmo performed silky vocals and The Buzz played a really catchy track. Myke Black ">www.myspace.com/mykejayblack had a potential hit song although needed a hook to the chorus. Two Stripe ">www.myspace.com/twostripemusicmusic from Stirling rolled into the audition late in the day, but were fresh and fab and I really enjoyed their performance. I also thought Lifestream ">www.myspace.com/lifestreambroadcast and Less Than Sober were good.”

NEWCASTLE

Kirk Turnball, Epidemic Records, commented, “Cedar Way ">www.cedarway.net really went for it in their audition, their singer was very animated and they had lots of energy. Caplyn ">www.myspace.com/caplyn showed some promising musical ability and gave a strong performance. Nick impressed me, he is only 14 and I was astounded by his voice. I thought Rain showed big potential, although I think the singer needs to practice a bit more. Bone Idle, Insert and Paper Planes also gave strong performances on the day.”

Hannah Taylor, Vocal Tutor, thought, “Ventriloquists were strong but I think they need a brass section to really maximise their sound. Ami Achilles had a good tune that was well arranged. Caplyn ">www.myspace.com/caplyn had a strong lead vocalist and a very good rhythm section, I really liked their performance. Rayne’s chemistry on stage was clear although I thought a change in key for the vocals would have worked very well. Toronto Sun showed great potential but my advice would be to take a minute to pitch the first note before the song starts. I also thought Anabel did really well.”

Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music Management, commented, “Ablivious Revenge ">www.myspace.com/abliviousrevengeuk gave a great performance for 10am! They are already gigging in London and showed real passion for what they do, I’m looking forward to seeing them in the Regional Final. Insylum ">www.myspace.com/insylumaremetal rolled in with their straight jackets only having done one gig before and they rocked it musically! But could have been more animated. Moonlight Valentino ">www.myspace.com/moonlightvalentino had a good groove behind their track and Annabel Pattinson had a lovely voice. The Alleys ">www.thealleys.co.uk auditioned after lunch and were fantastic, a bit like Futureheads. Soundwaves and Escapades ">www.myspace.com/soundwavesandescapades performed the most original tune of the day and I think they’ll go far in the competition.”