Live and Unsigned goes live again in January

Glasgow winners in the 23 + category last time round.

After a highly successful event in Glasgow earlier this year, Live and Unsigned 2012 auditions will be judged at The Royal Concert Hall on 18 February 2012.

The biggest competition of its kind with more than 10,000 acts entering last year across the UK, it offers a real chance of stardom to aspiring bands and acts of all kinds. See their promo on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JqoQh0K1f8

Regional winners have the chance to play at The O2 in London and there are £100,000 worth of prizes waiting for unsigned musicians. Main prize is £10,000 cash for the winning act to spend on their development. Plus they will be offered festival slots at home and abroad.

Whether it is pop, RnB, punk, Indie, Alternative, rock or acoustic, the competition gives a chance to all. And gives extensive coverage on MUZU TV and YouTube.

All acts in the competition are auditioned live which is what makes Live and Unsigned unique. There are no demos or submissions. Judges in 2012 include Radio 1 DJs Annie Nightingale, Tom Deacon and Daniel P Carter, Kerrang’s Alex Baker and Happy Monday’s star Bez.

Last year’s winners The Trinity Band from Derby have been living the dream since being crowned the best unsigned band in the UK. They’ve gigged in Canada and played at some of the UK’s biggest festivals supporting the likes of Chase and Status, Example and Chipmunk. They’re now working on a single in the studio with DaVinChe who’s produced for some of the biggest names in the industry. Acts on the bill last year included Tinchy Styder, Zane Lowe, Roll Deep and The Hoosiers.

Acts are urged to enter NOW as places are in high demand and auditions are limited. For a chance of a live audition in 2012 go to website: www.LiveandUnsigned.uk.comand register today! Also follow Live & Unsigned on facebook and twitter.

Glasgow winners in the 17 to 22 age category in September.

Audience for the Worlds ‘blown away’ by the event.

On top of the World, Field Marshal Montgomery band led by Drum Major Alicia Dickson leave for home with the top title.

The organisers of the World Pipe Band Championships for 2011 are to be congratulated. They made a lot of people very happy on Saturday 13 August when around 8000 pipers and drummers in 230 bands entered into fierce competition. The spectacle was enjoyed by an estimated 30,000 onlookers. Despite monsoon rains for days beforehand, the Glasgow Green was well prepared to take the crowds without too much mud underfoot.

Said one international visitor: ‘This has been an amazing day. I have never seen pipe bands before. It has been very exciting.’

Graded into different levels of ability, the band  Grade 1 winners were Field Marshal Montgomery from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, making them top band in the world and leaving them feeling on top of the world.

Said Lisburn Mayor, Councillor Brian Heading: ‘I am delighted that this world famous band has once again brought this supreme title back to Lisburn. With 21 Ulster and 19 All Ireland Championships and now 7 World Champion titles, they are officially the most successful pipe band in history.

‘Quite simply, they are in a league of their own. To perform and compete at this level takes countless hours of practice. Their success is richly deserved.’

The Band’s Drum Major, Alicia Dickson also won the adult Drum Major event.

Interviewed by Jackie Bird for the BBC live coverage that went world-wide, the band’s Pipe Major, Richard Parkes MBE said: ‘We had a strong band on the day and I couldn’t have asked for more. We really wanted to win and everyone has worked hard all winter.’

Second place went to Simon Fraser University of Canada and Scottish Power was third. Fourth place in Grade 1 went to Inveraray & District. Fifth place went to St Laurence O’Toole from Eire and sixth place went to Boghall & Bathgate.

Glasgow Lord Provost, Councillor Bob Winter, was Chieftain of the Games, for possibly his last time as there are council elections next May. He said: ‘Nothing brings Glasgow Green to life like the World Pipe Band Championships. We all appreciate the dedication, mastery and team work required to play to the highest standards to be in the Worlds. The city is very proud to continue to be host at least till 2012.’

The event brings an estimated £10 million into the local economy.

Apart from the pipe bands and the associated competitions for pipe majors and for drummers and pipers, there were Highland Games which attract heavy weight athletes ‘putting the shot’ and ‘tossing the caber”. Highland dancing competitions fielded competitors from the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as Scotland.

The day ended with all the pipe bands in a march past to salute the Chieftain and his VIP guests.

Planning for next year’s competition is already under way by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, Glasgow Life, Glasgow City Council, EventsScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.

President of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, George Ussher (left) with Glasgow Lord Provost, Bob Winter who was Chieftain for the day (right) and guest touring the 'Worlds' events on Glasgow Green.

The strongmen of the circuit came from around the world.At every grade, bands were happy to take home the hard won trophies.

Global garden to celebrate the Games

The Gardners of North West Women's Centre with Councillor Archie Graham at the launch of their Commonwealth Garden

Glasgow’s first Commonwealth Garden was formally opened this week when Councillor Archie Graham attended the event at North West Women’s Centre in Maryhill and helped plant heather to represent Scotland.

Created by women of the centre following a design by Jane Gibb, the garden was funded by a £10,000 grant from the National Lottery’s Awards For All Fund.

Plants represent the main countries of the Commonwealth and their continents.

On one side Asia blooms with bamboo, rhododendron and irises. India is represented with a herb tea plant section and Europe’s space uses beautiful geraniums, roses and other plants.

Flora from the Americas, Africa and Australasia includes a maple tree for Canada, large spiky bushes for New Zealand and America, grasses from Africa and a plethora of colourful flowers from all three areas.

Over the next two years the Women’s Commonwealth Garden will have a project for local children to help them learn more about Commonwealth countries and the Commonwealth Games which will be held in Glasgow in 2014. The children will make gold and silver ‘medals’ on sticks to put into the garden next to the plants or flowers of the countries which win them.