YES!!! I’ve got the X Factor… getting to the Regional Finals of Open Mic UK!
Having never entered a talent contest of any kind before this proved quite an experience for me. Open Mic UK is the Biggest Music Competition in the uk for singers and solo artists (http://www.openmicuk.co.uk). The auditions were held at the Princes Theatre in Aldershot, Surrey in September. On arrival I was directed to wait in a large room with around 100 other potentials – a holding pen for nervous musicians, singers and songwriters.
People were tuning up and rehearing, being given last minute pep talks by partners or fiends or family. Among them… me… with my girlfriend to offer moral support and to prevent me form running out of the building and driving away before I go called up for my 3 minutes. When my time did come I was summoned to the judges’ room with two other hopefuls, a man with a guitar and a woman. We were briefed by a young girl wielding a clipboard, “You have 3 minutes, don’t go over or you will be stopped, you must stand on the white line and face the judges, introduce yourself and go for it – good luck.”
We entered the room and I grabbed a nearby chair to sit on, said hello to the daunting looking panel of 6 judges and played one of my original songs called “Hero” – before I knew it they had shouted stop and asked the next person up. I was shaking like a leaf with the adrenalin!
Back in the big room we then had about 20 tense minutes to wait for their deliberations. In the meantime, other people were being told if they’d got through or else let down gently by the organizers, some taking it better than others. I really didn’t know where I stood, whether my type of music was what they were looking for or not. So when I got called up for the results and it was good news I did feel a sizeable flourish of relief.
Next stop is the Regional Finals where I have to play a cover and an original in around 3 ½ minutes.
If you would like to come along and support me:
Date: 30th October 2011
Venue: Princess Theatere, Aldershot, Surrey
Tickets: £8 – Available in advance from Rob (robert.finlay@solutions.co.uk)