Hunt for musical talent in Stafford

MUSICIANS AIM TO HIT RIGHT NOTE

Young musicians from Stafford Borough are invited to attend auditions to hit the right note for the chance to perform to a crowd of thousands.

Stafford Borough Council is looking for talented singers, MCs and band members aged between 13 and 21 to attend the Raw Talent auditions at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.

Two auditions will be held, one for singers and MCs on Sunday 25 May, and the other for bands on Sunday 1 June. Registrations for auditions must be made in advance and entrants will be allocated a fifteen-minute slot.

The successful candidates will battle it out in front of hundreds of music lovers at the Raw Talent competition in Stafford’s Market Square on Saturday 5 July. And the best entries will get the opportunity to perform for thousands at Stafford Castle later that month at the Live @ the Castle event.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for young musicians in the local area to showcase their talent in the Raw Talent competition, as part of the Stafford Festival” commented Mike Smith, Cabinet Member for Leisure.

Once again, this year a fantastic prize is on offer for the overall winner – a day in a recording studio. Grapevine Studios in Stafford are offering an eight-hour session including production, use of session instruments and even session musicians if required.

There is also equipment available from local music shop Guitar & Son for the winners of each category (bands, singers and MCs), and outstanding entries will even get the opportunity to perform at Live @ the Castle in front of thousands on Sunday 13 July at Stafford Castle.

The competition is being supported by local promoters, Red Spot, Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Grapevine Studios, and Guitar & Son. A panel of leisure and music professionals will do the judging of the Raw Talent auditions and the competition.

Last year, the overall winners were local band Point Blank, who thoroughly enjoyed their day in Grapevine Studios. Also hitting the right note with judges to win the singer’s category was Laura Ellement, who appeared on Steve Lamacq’s BBC Radio 2 Show last month, rapping their way to victory were MCs DJ Mokey & NSA (No Strings Attached), and Ghost Heart Machine came out top in the band category.

Anyone who would like to enter the Raw Talent contest needs to register in advance either online at www.staffordbc.gov.uk/leisure by calling Liz Hulse, Events Manager on 01785 619300 or emailing lhulse@staffordbc.gov.uk.