 It's finally here! After months of singing, writing and performing, the eagerly anticipated 'First Up - The Final' has arrived on The Community Channel.
This cruelty-free TV talent event, backed by major music industry stars has our six talented finalists battling it out with their own music as they receive constructive criticism on their performances from an acclaimed panel of judges. The six diverse finalists that made it to the Final were Merewen, Jajuka, KDES, Six.Point.Five, Laura Critchley and War Click.
Vivacious TV presenter Sarah Cawood (Live and Kicking/Top of the Pops BBC1) hosts the event which will air all week from Monday 22nd November at 10.30am and 9.30pm. Armed with the tough job of choosing a winner from the exciting crew of talent are ex-Boyzone singer Shane Lynch (The Games II/Dream Team), Jennifer Mills (Head of Marketing at BMG Sony) and Chris Cowey (Ex-TOTPs Executive Producer). First Up was originally screened on the Community Channel, offering the first acts aged between 13-21, with self-penned original music, a guaranteed chance to get on TV without pre-judgement. The show attracted up to a million viewers and 5,000+ texts in support of the different acts.
The BBC lent vital technical back-up to film the show, as part of a partnership with Liverpool’s Toxteth TV, which meant that young people, supported by BBC professionals, helped to put the show together. All the finalists were given special coaching by experts who are volunteering in the Youth Music mentors room. The winner received recording time in the legendary Abbey Road Studios as well as 1,000 of the winning CDs, courtesy of Key Productions.
Think you can make it to the top? Here are our Ten Top Tips if you want a go at making music:
1. Get involved in local groups near you; music societies, amateur dramatics, dance classes, acting classes etc. For details on where to find these classed contact your local Tourist Information service. www.tourist-information-uk.com.
2. Give your demo tape to people in the business, call ahead and make sure that you’re sending it to the right person. Make follow up calls to check that they’ve actually listened to it. Do something different to get your self noticed – think about something that will make people remember your demo.
3. Perform as much as possible in your community – create a local fan base.
4. Volunteer your time – contact record labels, big and small and media industry companies to try and get some work experience. Think of other avenues too, music magazines, radio, digital radio to gain an insight into the business.
5. Know your music industry. Read trade titles like Music Week as well as Q and Smash Hits magazines.
6. Audition for everything – look out for ads in The Stage for open auditions. Go for as many as possible to improve your confidence and get yourself seen. Also think about TV reality shows etc - watch out for when they are holding auditions.
7. Know your style – know what you like and want to do, focus on your style and be true to it.
8. Try and get time in a recording studio – maybe do work experience in return for recording time. Think outside the box – do research into recording studios near you and see if you can get to know them.
9. Enter New Bands competitions etc. This will give you great performing experience and you could win great prizes (like the ones on First Up!).
10. Be determined, have a focus and don’t stop trying!
For more information on how to make it in the music business contact Youth Music. They are the UK's leading music charity for young people, set up though the Arts Council of England. It has numerous programmes including Music Maker, for people aged five to 18 or 25 if you have special needs. First Steps is for parents and carers of children under five and Plug into Music is music technology for children between the ages of eight and 14.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 March 2006 )
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