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.

Mela monsoon didn’t stop the music

Pic: Ian Watson - Rhoda McInnes from Island of Barra with Jaipur Maharajah Brass Band

Despite frequent monsoon-like downpours over the weekend, the Mela delivered a good show and big sounds. Said one Indian living and working Glasgow: ‘It was a  really good Mela. It made me homesick!’

For the first time running over two days in Kelvingrove Park, the Mela drew in the crowds.

On Saturday 18 June, winner of the Best Urban Act Award at the UK AMAS and the Best British Asian Urban Act at the 2010 BritAsia awards, Mumzy Stranger, set the World Stage alight with his unique style of urban music.  Keeping up the tempo were Bass2base, the first-ever Bollywood band to perform at the O₂ Glasgow Mela.  They wowed everyone with their polished blend of new and old Bollywood styles with Bhangra, Hindi, pop, funk and urban sounds. 

On Sunday 19 June,  Manak-E, who has dominated the Bollywood and Punjabi music scene with hits songs including Paisa Paisa and Dhoor, delighted fans. On of the world’s top Bhangra bands, DCS, made a sensational return to the Mela five years after first performing at the event.  Frontman Shin said: “Glasgow is an awesome audience, I love being back.  Music is my life and I love sharing it with anyone who’ll listen.  That’s why I love the Mela, it is a great way to introduce new people to Bhangra music and music is a great way to introduce people to new cultures.”

International dance acts added colour and energy to the proceedings.  Dressed in elaborate masks representing gods, monsters and animals, the acrobatic Chhau Dancers from Eastern Indian thrilled the crowds with an awesome routine involving swords and shields to illustrate popular tales.   Tinku from Chhau Dancers said: “I have been looking forward to dancing in Glasgow.  I hope our dancing inspires people to learn more about Indian culture. That’s what the Mela is about after all – sharing the best parts of different cultures.”

They were joined by local acts showcasing the cultural diversity on offer in Glasgow, with performances from Scotland’s hottest Bollywood talent, Desi Bravehearts and ​Eletricat Brazilian Dance.

 New for 2011 was a collaboration with schools across Glasgow.  This gave hundreds of youngsters the opportunity to work with Priyanka Purohit, assistant to the legendary Bollywood choreographer Pratap Shetty, to learn Bollywood, freestyle and Bhangra dance, which they performed on stage during the weekend. 

 A second new element this year was Dance Dhamaka.  The aim of Dhamaka, meaning ‘explosion’, was to get Scotland dancing towards the Cultural Olympiads in 2012.  To underline the multi-cultural nature of the Mela some of the most exciting dance groups in the country entertained festival-goers with a mix of styles including Flamenco, Chinese, Brazilian and Scottish.

 Councillor George Redmond, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “In its 21 year history the festival has gone from strength to strength and continues to be a wonderful family event that highlights Glasgow as a multicultural and multi racial city. Moving to two days was definitely the right decision.  Despite the rain, thousands of people have enjoyed a fabulous weekend of free entertainment at the biggest O₂ Glasgow Mela yet.”

pic: Ian Watson - Frontman Shin, of one of the world's top Bhangra bands, DCS, toped the bill on Sunday

WEST END FESTIVAL STARTS

Sunday 5 June sees the start of Glasgow’s West End Festival. At 12 noon till 7pm Kelvingrove Park will be transformed into a playground of colour, music, entertainment, food and drink to celebrate the start of the 16th West End Festival.
The Opening Parade – described as Scotland’s Mardi Gras – features eight samba bands, more than 500 costumed characters and musicians who will parade along Kelvin Way and back into the Park around Park Circus. That takes place between 3pm and 4pm.
Everyone is invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the fun. There will be FOUR stages for different kinds of live music: Big Band, Latin and Celtic, Ska and Pop and New music. Lots for children. Stuff to buy. Great spectacles to see. Just be there!