LOCAL TALENT SHINES ON THE MIC

Lauren Harrison a pupil at Arabesque School of

Performing Arts, Chichester, has been given the big

thumbs up by judges at the Open Mic UK auditions. Along with other impressive

acts, Lauren has made it through to

the Regional Finals and will now be performing at the live showcases of Open

Mic UK 2011.

 

Open

Mic UK 2011 is the exciting national talent competition, which searches for the

UKs best singers, singer/songwriters, rappers and vocalists of all genres who

perform either covers or original material.

 

One contestant who has evidently caught the judge's

eye is local talent Lauren Harrison, now competing for a place in the National

Final at The O2 in London and the chance to grab a breakthrough recording

contract. Thousands of hopefuls entered nationwide and hundreds of auditionees

queued patiently on the day for their turn to impress the judges. Those who

made it through the audition stage will now take part in a live Regional head

to head battle alongside the best talent in their area. They'll be performing

in front of hundreds of audience members and a professional judging panel to

win a place at the National Grand Final.

Chris

Grayston head of Future Music comments "we are searching for an act whose live

performance will impress an audience, industry judges and A&R associates,

and who has the potential to become a professional recording artist. The

standard was high last year and this year looks set to be even better."

The

competition is divided into age categories; 16 and under, 17-22 and 23 and

over; all types of singers, vocal performers, groups and acoustic

singer/songwriters are invited to enter Open

Mic UK. There's over £50, 000 in prizes up for grabs this year and the

overall winner of Open Mic UK 2011 will be offered a recording contract, with up

to £30, 000 investment! They'll also have the opportunity to tour across the

UK.

 

There

are plenty of development opportunities available to acts taking part courtesy

of ICMP, who will be offering song writing courses and master classes

throughout the competition. The latter stages of the competition will also

provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels,

agencies and the entertainment industry as well as judges from

BBC Introducing, national radio and regional press.

 

The

winners will not only get to perform on stage at The 02 at Live Fest, London's

largest indoor festival, but they will be thrust into the media spotlight

through television, radio and print media and will be invited on the Open Mic

UK Tour, which boasts 100 gigs across the country. Last year's under 16's winner, Hatty

Keane has been signed to BGM Music. Since being crowned the overall runner up

of the competition last year, Hatty has been featured in a variety of local,

regional and national press, performed live sets alongside Tinchy Stryder and Roll Deep

and is currently working on new material. Previous winner Birdy has recently been

a favourite on Radio 1 having signed to Warner Music and is set for a huge

career at just 15 years of age.

 

For more information go to

the website www.openmicuk.co.uk or better still come

down and support your local talent performing! You can purchase tickets from

the website www.openmicuk.co.uk or on the door subject

to availability or from Lauren Harrison.

 

For press enquiries please

contact Ben Price on 01142 321 993 or email press@liveandunsigned.uk.com