Manchester music hopefuls are pitting their lyrical wit against one another in The Printworks Unsigned competition for a chance to play a live gig at the legendary Hard Rock Cafe.
Eight finalists made last weekend’s live auditions and are now battling it out for a first prize of £250, a recording session and a debut gig.
The acts – ranging from 14 to 36 years old – will be judged by a secret celebrity, and The Printworks Centre director Fred Booth was impressed with the talent on show.
“We can’t wait to see who will win 2013’s Printworks Unsigned final and watch them on their way towards achieving their dreams,” he said.
“The Printworks Unsigned is a brand new competition. This year has shown that our new concept is a great addition to the other competitions we stage throughout the year such as Keys to The City and Street Dancer.
“The crowds were fantastic, getting behind all of the acts and yet again the level of talent was outstanding.
“I can’t wait for April 6 to see the stage light up again in the final.”
The yet-to-be-revealed judge will join a prestigious panel including Manchester Radio Online founder David Foran, Ann Barratt of Music Business Management and Terry Snowden MBE, the founder of the Heroes Project.
These three were on hand to whittle 18 acts down to eight finalists – as well as giving advice – in an electric atmosphere at The Printworks Pump Yard.
The talented eight who made it were Babalola Ehidiamen, Lizzie Tupman and Damien Hayton, Georgia Brown, Denise and Dom Morgan, Keeley Berry, Kim Jennett, Declan O’Gara and the band Suzie Does It.
The public can have their say on who should make the final, with online voting accounting for 25% and the judging panel deciding the rest.
The final will take place on Saturday April 6 at 12pm in the Pump Yard with a special performance from Tristan, the charismatic lead singer of The Dress Down Kids.
To vote for your winner, visit www.theprintworks.com.
Picture courtesy of Visual Dichotomy, with thanks.
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