London Music Showcase- London & East Results

The London music showcase  for London and East unsigned acts and bands took place in Basildon at The Towngate Theatre this weekend, as the Live and Unsigned Area Final rolled into town.

The Area Final brought together the best unsigned acts from London and the East of England 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 Basildon were urban and rap group Flow Dem, who put on a great show. Previous Live and Unsigned grand finalists and indie, rock act The Novatones also played at the showcase.

Judges presiding over the London & East Area Final included; Sam Holt, First Days of Freedom Festival Organiser,TinoLeonard who worked for Virgin and a former Miss Brighton, Michael King, Head of BGM Music, Darren Ashford, drummer for Dub Pistols and Black Eyed Peas, Chris Grayston, Head of A&R at Future Music and Paul Handley from Record and Music Management company Out of Bounds Music.

With so much talent, it was difficult for the judges to make a decision and the successful acts that are through to the National Grand 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

Luke Burr

Edged

New Subjects

Two Steps Twice

Anna Pancaldi

Panning For Gold

The Filthy Habits

The Merry Gang

Fall To Oblivion

Blackstar Exposure Award – There will be an award for the act with the largest quantity and best qualityof 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 London & East Area Final were a band they will win a free Blackstar HT-5 half stack amplifier with head and cab (approx value £400). This goes to; Fall to Oblivion

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 band they will win a TC Electronic BG500 combo Bass Amp (approx value £540). The winner of the award for the London & East Area Final is; INtuition

Festival Partner Award- Sam Holt, First Days of Freedom Festival Organiser, judged the Area Finals in Basildon was so impressed with the talent that he has chosen Gentlemen Dukeand The Merry Gang to play at the festival. First Days of Freedom takes place on 15th – 17th July in Port Lympne, Kent. 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!