Unsigned Bands
Hi everyone!
We’ve been getting a few requests from people after information about getting their (unsigned) band onto the Leeds Festival line up. So whilst it’s no big deal for me to continue sending personal responses, I think it’s much more useful if I posted a page up on here.
Basically, you have two options available to you.
- Futuresound Competition
- BBC Raw Talent / Sandman Magazine / Stage Sponsors
Futuresound Competition
Futuresound run the gig nights at Leeds’ Cockpit venue, as well as one-offs around the city (such as Leeds Metropolitan University). For many years now – since the days of the festival being held at Temple Newsam – the Futuresound team have been able to offer six festival places to local bands. Previously, these slots were in the Comedy Tent, although the more recent introduction of a dedicated Unsigned Stage has seen the Futuresound ‘winners’ relocate to a more appropriate stage.
They select these six bands by way of an annual summer BOTB at the Cockpit in the city centre. Generally speaking, they will expect to receive a couple of hundred applications, and from these thirty bands are chosen to take part in the BOTB. And then six from these thirty will play on the Unsigned Stage at Leeds Festival.
- Locality: bands from West Yorkshire only
- When to look for further announcements: May
- Applications are usually accepted until very early in June
- Band selection: mid-late June
- BOTB: July
- Winners announcements: August
BBC Raw Talent / Sandman Magazine / Stage Sponsors
When the Unsigned Stage was originally revealed two years ago, its selections were made by a combination of BBC Raw Talent (radio show), the Sandman Magazine and the stage’s sponsors. Roughly the breakdown is about 12 / 12 / 2 or something along those lines.
The BBC Raw Talent is a radio show across the Yorkshire regions, including the Humber area, that features local talent, signed or otherwise. Their selection process is usually based on bands that have been featured or played a session on their show – so if you’re interested in playing at Leeds Festival your best bet through Raw Talent would be to regularly tune into the show, get your material to them at any time of the year, be available for interviews and just, you know, be a good band!
Sandman Magazine pick up the majority of the remaining places, and they usually do their selection in the format of a ‘competition’ – i.e. you send in your demo and details, then everyone sits around and picks the best.
Finally, the Stage Sponsors usually pick one or two bands as well. Each band will be carefully examined so only those who are worthy will play. The selection process is not like free poker where the winner is sometimes determined by chance or luck. The format and methods for how this is done will vary (the stage has had different sponsors each year).
- Locality: bands from the North of England and Scotland
- Applications accepted: June or July
- Announcements: August
I hope this is of some use!
Feel free to post comments, updates, corrections, etc!
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/NTTFJSY
we are death metal
check out newnoisepollution (NNP) at wwwmyspace.com/newnoisepollution1
ITS ONLY ROCK N ROLL
Check us out at http://www.myspace.com/shotdeadtheband
hello
please give Where’s Strutter? a listen at
http://www.myspace.com/wheresstrutter
new demo up now !
Nice One
Strutter ?
x
Futuresound 2009 bands announced.
We are a Saddleworth band… GREENFIRE brings together an eclectic mix from different musical genres to keep out of any pigeonhole!! The latest promotional CD, “Time Is The Enemy” is available to hear at http://www.myspace.com/greenfireonline
Hightlights of last year were supporting ‘Spear of Destiny’ at Academy 3, Manchester and regular haunts including Night & Day in Manchester. We would like to hit the festivals this year.
Thanks
Jo
Hey, we’re District Six, a 4peice from Bradford
Http://www.myspace.com/districtsixrock
check us out! we’ll be entering the futuresound compition!
Much love
xxx
The best new boyband on the music scene – CHAPTER ONE!
http://www.myspace.com/chapter0ne
We are the band Dan Audio, you can hear our songs at :
Http:/www.myspace.com/danaudio
We are the best upcoming band in Leeds and work hard at what we do. The proof is in the playing.
Many thanks Martin Bongo (of Dan Audio).
Alright, we are White County Line, a rock and blues duo from Wrenthorpe, Wakefield. Check out our myspace and add us if you like what you hear and see. Thanks Dan
http://www.myspace.com/whitecountyline
http://www.myspace.com/deadmessage
!!
We are well worthy of playing Leeds Festival. Got good catchy tunes and play an energetic entertaining live set. Check us out at Bradford mela on the Sunday.
How do we get hold of an application form?
x
BLANK:
Noun
- A place where something is lacking; an empty space
- To fail in an attempt; be unsuccessful
Adjective
- Showing no attention, interest or emotion; Blank expression
- Lacking some usual or completing feature
Verb
- To cross out or delete in order to invalidate or void
Proper Noun
- A band containing four musicians that play sparse, gritty noise
http://www.myspace.com/filltheblanks
(new tracks coming soon)
We’re a rock/pop band from Mansfield. Give us a listen.
http://www.myspace.com/wewerefriendsuk
Heavy dance music me thinks….
JUSTICE MEETS DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? REALLY?
YEAH!!!
http://www.myspace.com/gloverjk
I go to some of the futuresound heats every year, they tend to be good gigs but can’t help but think that the winners are decided before the competition even starts, making it pointless.
if you’re wanting to play at leeds fest then don’t rely on futuresound unless you’re best buds with the futuresound dudes.
Best bet is to enter the topman competition or look out for competitions on local radio stations, i.e. Real Radio or Aire FM.
GET THE BEST BAND IN DONCASTER PLAYING, THEY ARE NENA KUBU, THEY AHVE PLAYED WITH SOME GOOD BIG BANDS NOW, LET THEM LOOSE INTO THE MUSICAL WORD, THEY ARE TOP TALENT WHO HAVE TRYEEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT, NOT LIKE THE THIEVES OR THE BOWES, COMPLETE RIP OFFS
NENA KUBU
GOOD LOOK NK
Tonight We Fire – Local Leeds Pop Punk
http://www.myspace.com/tonightwefire
x
GET THE THIEVES TO PLAY (Y)
LOCAL DONCASTER BAND AND THERE QUALITY. LISTEN TO FALLEN LEAVES!!
http://www.myspace.com/thethievesuk
Can you camp if you are 16, with an 18 year old accompaning you because it says “no 16 and under will be permitted to camp unless accompanied with an over 18 year old.” so can they be 18? or have to be over.. ???
Also can someone else buy my ticket at hmv for me, without me there and just give it to me or will they need my address and proof of age etc. ?
Blink 182 !!!!!!
Check out Burnout
http://www.bebo.com/westlothianburnout
how do we get to gig on the unsigned stagenight?
I think we would suit the unsigned stage like no other.
Think Does It Offend You, Yeah?
Think Forward Russia
Think Bloc Party
Blend them in a smoothie maker and you’ll get ‘Nena Kubu’.
Check out our myspace
Thanks
WE ARE THE OCEAN
We are THIEF TAKER
Alternative, Experimental, Rock/Pop
From Leeds
Currently gigging
Want some ears
how would i sign my band up to participate in the suture sound competition, my band formed jsut after last years leeds fest, so i missed out. let me know somehow, someone?
Aidan-Wreckriation.
We are the Beanstalks
http://www.myspace.com/jackthebeanstalksband
http://www.myspace.com/pegasusbridge
I saw these guys in Worcester, they’re really really good!
Will get applying to those then- thanks for the clear info
Really interested in playing 2009
check us out at http://www.myspace.com/clairecameronmusic
Claire Cameron Band, Leeds
clairecameron.music@hotmail.co.uk
HEY MY PEOPLE THIS SOUNDS EXCELLENT!!
PLAYING LEEDS FEST WOULD BE DREAM AND A HONOR FOR US TO PLAY!
WE NEVER DISAPOINT A CROUD AN’ WE ARE PROUD TO BE LOUD !
Please Give us one chance to Show what we can do
Write back! Love and Respect K.A.E!
WHOOP!
heyyy guys! so how do we go about getting a gig at the cockpit or the bbc gigs…
to the road to leeds fest:)
WOULD BE AMAZING!
cb luv dominant species x
http://www.myspace.com/dominantspeciesuk
We are a fancy five piece of brothers and sisters setting out to paint our minds, hearts and souls using the beautiful creation that is musical expression. Our biggest inspirations are each other, and our biggest fan is our drummer’s little brother. We are the artists, and the artist’s muse.
cheap ugly mugs waiting for the right time to jump into those white wedding gowns and drown ourselves (and you) in the blood of love!
A poem by Datura Stramonium
got meat in my feet
and im stamping the beat
don’t die in retreat
lets dance to defeat
carnivore elite
on the highway heading south
blood of youth around our mouth
in the forest heading west
life flies by, no time to rest
wade in the water heading east
on the strange we will feast
down the mountain heading north
don’t look back, forever forth
http://www.myspace.com/meatykids
http://www.myspace.com/monochromemusicuk plz have a look at music we only 14 so it wud be incredible to play at leeds , thanks
A LOT LIKE ESKIMOS & KID OCTOBER, GET THEM IN THE UNSIGNED TENT!
Hi
My company and Wateraid will be running 2 gig nights in 2009 for unsigned bands, it is in aid of a project we are attached to in Mozambique. The first event is in Leeds, and a 2nd night will be in a venue in the South (to be confirmed)
We are looking for talented bands, singer songwriters to appear and perform to a crowd of about 400 people…
If anyone is interested in performing or being involved and would like more information I can be contacted Joanne.Frain@cl-uk.com
Thanks
THE CREEKS NEED TO PLAY AND ROCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!!
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THECREEKSROCK (COPYRIGHT 2008)
CHECK US OUT….YOU KNOW ITS ONLY RIGHT…
PEACE
WATCH OUT!! THE BURNING SKYZ REVOLUTION IS HERE!!!!!
Next gig 9th August at the Primrose, meanwood road Leeds. These guys will be playing next year, go to there gigs, you’ll see!
hi my name is lisa ambrose 18 from bugay suffolk, i am a unsigned singer/songwriter and harmonica solos i hav only been playing music since jan 3rd of 2008 and in may of this i won the battle of the bandstands compotion in liverpool 2 open u pthe show infront of 2000 people for Mark Ronson and DJ Rob De Bank. i was looking at ur festival and was wonderd if u would give me the chance to play there this year? you can see and hear what i do on my myspace wich is myspace.com/misslisaambrose i hope u will get bk 2 me just 2 let me know if i am 2 l8 best regards,
misslisaambrose x
We think we are good enough to perform to any crowd, but we don’t at the moment have a P.A. system. I wondered if you could supply a P.A. system for us to play, if not, we’ll get one ourselves.
We are mainly a dance/techno outfit and have written many songs and we hope to be big!!!
Regards,
Twenty Four Hours.
With over 30 places available, there’s a very good chance that the ‘best musicians’ in the city tend to find themselves in the ‘best bands’. So it’s not a surprise I guess, that some of the same faces re-appear.
And having read reviews from previous years on a number of sites, I don’t think there’s been any doubt that the quality has been high. So it’s never been an issue.
The organisations that select the 30 bands are diverse and the opportunities great, therefore if there was any ‘favouritism’ (not sure I’ve ever seen any evidence of this) the impact is negligible and the impact on a band’s opportunities low. The ‘best bands’ are likely to come to the fore when viewing independently by:-
BBC Introducing
Sandman (who get their selection from a host of independent music folk from around the whole of Yorkshire to avoid any bias or favouritism)
Futuresound Competition (who run as a BOTB)
Is it true that the same bands (3 at least )even though they have only changed their names and the odd band member have played in the future sound comp for the last 4 years !.
Doesn’t seem fair to the other unsigned bands!
Could there be some favoritism, or lets put our mates on?
Look at the bands from the last few years and you tell me.
what do you think.
shrewsburys best indie band; http://www.myspace.com/tenkayrunner
http://www.leedsmusicfestival.com/2008/05/30/unsigned-bands-get-more-opportunities-to-play-leeds/