North West Battle of the Bands and Acts contest - Results

The Area Final brought together the best unsigned acts from North West England and Manchester in a bid to make it to the National Grand Final at Live Fest. The winners are now off to the O2 on the 23rd July to play in the final for the chance to take the title of Best Unsigned Act 2011.

The headline act taking to the stage alongside Live and Unsigned Regional Finalists in Manchester were The Lottery Winners.  The band beat over 10,000 acts from across the UK in the competition last year to take the top spot.  2010 Open Mic winner, for the under 18’s category, Hatty Keane also played at the showcase.

Judges presiding over the North West and Manchester Area Final included; Bez from the Happy Mondays and Celebrity Big Brother, Alex Baker from Kerrang and DJ for the Kerrang Unsigned Show, Carly Jackson Event Manager of OsFest, Phillip Whittam of Liverpool clubbing.com, Claire Curran Producer of Our House Online Music, Head of A&R at Future Music Chris Grayston and Benjamin Price from High Peak Radio.

With so much talent, it was difficult for the judges to make a decision and the successful acts that are through to the National Grad Final are listed below. Congratulations to those that made it through to National Grand Final at Live Fest in London’s O2 on the 23rd July.

Area Final Winners

Tom Gee

Andy Doonan

Upside

Surreal Knowledge

Ben Noke Band

Lucy Spraggan

P3

Xpose

Believe in F.A.T.E

Stereofuel

Hitomi

Blackstar Exposure Award – There will be an award for the act with the largest quantity and best quality of submitted publicity material in relation to the competition. The act with the most press cuttings or recorded radio interviews on each Areal Final day will win a prize. As the winner of the prize at the North West Area Final was a solo act, they will receive a free day in a recording studio of their choice, worth up to £250!This goes to; Andy Doonan

TC Electronic Exposure Award – This award is given to the act that achieves (what will be considered) the most ‘high profile’ publicity material and/or stunt in each Area final day. The overall winner in each Area will win a prize. As the winner is a solo artist they will receive a free day in the recording studio of their choice, worth up to £250. The winner of the award for Manchester Area Finals is; Sophie Liesl

Festival Partner Award - Carly Jackson, event manager of OsFest judged the Area Finals in Manchester and was so impressed with the talent that she has chosen Lucy Spraggan to play at the Main stage of the popular festival on Sunday 29th May. The festival takes place between the 27th to 30th May in Oswestry, Shropshire . Congratulations!

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

For information on the Grand Final and to purchase tickets visit the Live and Unsigned Live fest page. Or further details of guest acts playing the London’s biggest indoor festival “Live Fest” incorporating the National Grand Final visit www.LiveFest.co.uk