Unsigned Bands
Hi everyone!
Article last updated 4th October 2009.
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 a few main options available to you.
- Futuresound Competition
- BBC Introducing (and Raw Talent in Yorkshire)
- Other Opportunities
Please note: we are in no way associated with the selection of unsigned bands for Leeds Festival.
Futuresound Competition
Futuresound run the gig nights at the Cockpit venue in Leeds, as well as promoting one-off gigs at other venues around the city, such as Leeds Metropolitan University and Brudenell Social Club.
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 (West Yorkshire) bands.
In the early days, these slots were in the Comedy Tent (now called the Alternative Stage), although the more recent introduction in 2006 of a dedicated Unsigned Stage (now called the BBC Introducing Stage) has seen the Futuresound winners relocate to a more appropriate stage at the heart of the arena site.
The overall Futuresound winner is rewarded with a slot on the Carling Stage (now called the Festival Republic Stage).
Since the festival in 2008, the six bands also get to appear at the Reading Festival.
Futuresound select the six bands by way of an annual summer BOTB at the Cockpit in the city centre. They will expect to receive between 200-300 applications from which they will select THIRTY bands to take part in the BOTB.
And it is the winning six, selected from these thirty, that will play at the Leeds Festival. The selection process is made by a panel of music industry judges.
Summary:
- Locality: bands from West Yorkshire only
- When to look for further announcements: end April / early May (watch Leeds Music Scene)
- Applications are usually accepted until late May / early June
- Band selection: mid June
- BOTB: late June and throughout July at the Cockpit
- Winners announced: August
BBC Introducing & BBC Raw Talent
When the Unsigned Stage was originally revealed in 2006, its selections were made by a combination of BBC Raw Talent (radio show), the Sandman Magazine and the stage’s sponsors TopMan. The breakdown was roughly 12 / 12 / 2 respectively.
The BBC Raw Talent is a radio show across the Yorkshire regions, including the Humber area, that features a vast range of local talent, signed or otherwise. The presenter of the Raw Talent show – Alan Raw – was the Unsigned Stage compère (and still is today).
Sandman Magazine was a Sheffield-based monthly music paper that covered the North of the UK. Sadly, it shut its doors in early 2009 and is no longer involved in the selection of bands for the Reading and Leeds festivals.
After two years – in 2008 – the selection moved entirely over to the UK-wide BBC Introducing network. This coincided with the stage being re-branded as the BBC Introducing Stage, which was also set up to operate at the Reading Festival site and the ability for bands to play at both sites.
The downside of this expansion was that the opportunities for unsigned Leeds / Northern bands diminished with the slots at Leeds now available to bands from throughout the UK. The upside being that Leeds bands also got to play at Reading Festival.
The selection process is based on bands that have been featured or played a session on the BBC Introducing shows around the UK – so if you’re a Leeds band that is interested in playing at Leeds Festival your best bet is through the Raw Talent shows.
You should 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!
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.
If you are not from Leeds, then your best route will be via your local BBC radio station.
Summary:
- Available all year round.
- Upload your music to BBC Introducing
- Contact BBC Raw Talent or your local BBC radio network
Other Opportunities – Leeds 2010
At the time of writing we are aware of one other route to appearing on the BBC Introducing Stage at Leeds 2010. This was announced via an article on the Leeds Music Scene site.
This place is open to secondary school students in Leeds and is being run by the Martin House Children’s Hospice. Each school will host their own internal talent competition and the winning act will secure a place at the Centre Stage heats.
The Leeds band that is declared the ultimate winner will appear at the festival.
Interested? Check with your high school’s music department or your teachers for more details.
I hope this article has been of some use! Please feel free to post comments, updates, corrections.
And if you like this article please share it with others.
the sandman website has info on who to email a link to a zip file of your bands music. google them.
i entered my band this way
http://www.myspace.com/gooniesneversaydiemusic
http://www.myspace.com/petross
how do you apply to play the unsined tent?
and is it too late for this year?
becky_lyon_999@hotmail.com
with the information please
hi there
could you consider me on the unsigned stage for this year. i am a hip hop artist and you can check out some of my work on http://www.bestrecords.tv
you can contact me on 07955306912 or email me on marymwashita@yahoo.co.uk
hi there. it would be good if we could be considered for the unsigned stage 2008.
we are – SUPERFOX from Chesterfield.
we have done a few bits before not least supporting BON JOVI at KC Stadium (as Reminiscence) 2006,
check us out at http://www.myspace.com/superfoxuk.
cheers guys.
check us out http://www.myspace.com/thawuk would love to play!!!!!
Check us out! Would be awesome to play!!
http://www.myspace.com/stonefreemusic2
xx
”they have all the passion of, say, burn my eyes-era machine head or ride the lightning-era metallica” LIVE4METAL.COM
big words – big band – born for festivals!! ELEMENT
http://www.myspace.com/elementsound
debut album out now
woot, check out MKAH theyre a bit good !
please please please tell me Flaveret 3rd are playing this year?!
they are the best leeds band by miles i wil like cry for a year if theyr not playing :’(
loz xx
The Franks
http://www.thefranksUK.com
Hello,
Section 60, brand new band from sheffield.
check out the website.
http://www.sectionsixty.com
i reckon longview should get a slot sumwhere ! so should the winchell riots !!! i’ll eat my shoes if there not one of the best unsigned bands around !!!!!! they used to be fell city girl and they got on the bill 2 yrs ago it was magical !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ_the(poet)
The Broadcast
should DEFFO get played at LEEDS!!!! http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/thebroadcast5
theyre from south East but theyre northern fanbase is bigger than most norhtern bands lol
Sam
Hey guys i think u should check out this guy i think we will be seeing a bit more of him this year
all the best DazZ
check out the stocks
http://www.thestocksmusic.co.uk (myspace)
so when do we have to take our demo into topman in leeds like ?:)
Hi,
We are an energetic and fun loving pop rock band called ‘THE RIFFS’ from the Lakes. We have played pubs, clubs, boats, dives, sheds and shit holes all over the country and we would love to play a festival. Especially Leeds, as I am a regular attendant of this festival. I would be over the moon if you could contact me via email and tell me how to audition for Leeds festival 2008.
Thankyou.
I know of an awesome band called the New Vinyls who live in North tyneside. I was once a member, but since I left they have made quite a name for themselves. They toured with the Maccabees and I believe they plan to release a single. If you want to contact them go to http://www.myspace.com/newvinyls and have a listen to their stuff =)
wer do u get an applications????
Hey,
We’re a 3 piece Grunge/Punk band from the North East have been touring for a few years and could do with getting on the bill for a festival. We have transport and own equipment and do not need travel expenses although any help would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Abduction of Margaret
Propala Gramota band from Ukraine.
We want to play at one of your festival.
Please look at our page and write me is it possible?
http://www.myspace.com/propalagramota
Get Plastic Fuzz on the damn Leeds Fest Bill!
They’re taking the Leeds gig circuit by storm!
Soiree For the Buskers are seriously hot stuff, get them to play, saw them at a Festival in Northampton, they’re only 17 aswell. http://www.myspace.com/soireeforthebuskersmusic
Kites Of Fiction.
No more needs to be said.
myspace.com/kitesoffiction
Hello,
I am speaking on behalf of a band called Flukestar who have a passion for performing and writing songs.
Flukestar, what are we about?
Based in Bristol and the surrounding, we are a strong circle of school friends who formed a band in 2003 and haven’t looked back since. In fact we are going to be soon celebrating our five year anniversary. And what a five years it has been, a constant stream of ideas with new songs being written all the time, whilst also maintaining a consistent performance schedule.
The material on our Myspace is from our album “Ride the chariot”. A fourteen track disk of some of our older material which was recorded in mid 2006. Initially five hundred copies were pressed, and these have all sold for a minimum of £5. However it must be said that we feel this does not represent our best work.
We will be recording a new EP within the month and we would like very much for you to listen to this when complete as we feel this will be more representative of where we are now.
Recently we have featured in Bristol Venue magazine who reviewed us at a recent show;
“Flukestar are a shockingly young, labrador puppy-friendly, with strong songs, outrageously precocious musicianship with a very keen audience!”
Within the five years together we have played at a great number of events, ranging from Birthday Parties through to Main Stage festivals. Every performance we play with the same enthusiasm and level of energy regardless. Therefore I feel we have the experience needed to play at your festival.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your time I hope you enjoy listening to viewing our myspace.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Shapcott
Speaking on behalf of Flukestar
http://www.myspace.com/flukestar
Do you know if these applications can apply to DJs as well or is it bands only? I played two massive Drum&Bass sets last year in Blue Campsite, both sets getting a massive response with literally hundreds of ravers surrounding the tent, and was wondering how to go about seeing if i can get a set in one of the bigger tents?
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Hey whats up!!!
Can my band THE ROOM play the 2008 Leeds Fesival would love to be a part of it!!! How can I get it to happen and how to submit…..
From Holland and available for shows in the UK
and the rest of europe ofcourse
http://www.myspace.com/stereoaccident
Wow sounds exciting, check out
http://www.myspace.com/ramshackles
its kinda more chilled and poppy than most of the indierock bands at leeds now, might be nice to have a few fun songs
hay there i saw a band in leeds last night called MY OTHERSIDE thay were better than some of the sighned shit that played at leeds fest! check them out http://www.myspace.com/myothersidemusic.
THE HEMS FROM MANCHESTER ARE FUCKING ACE!! THEY SHOULD GET A LEEDS SPOT!!
Dave,
thanks for replying to me if you have a minute check out this band that will hopefully be playing Leeds Festival 08′….
http://www.myspace.com/shadowsandimpressions
Hi Tim, yeah, because several people are putting on bands on this stage, the announcement gets a bit fragmented. The majority were announced a while back, and I posted to LMS (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8624/), while the Futuresound winners have also been revealed (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8690/). Finally, the stage will also host a pre-event DTTR party (http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/8691/).
The remainder of the stage line up has also been revealed (Topman choice and BBC choices), and I’ll get those details posted asap.
Who actaully got through on this? Are the results out?
please let the bonbons rock u!!
Sky – either!
See news section, as applications now accepted for Futuresound and Sandman.
Does it have to be a band or can it be a solo performer?
pigeonsinmotion.net
http://www.myspace.com/pigeonsinmotion
these guysrule! check it out!
touchplayrecords said there the most direct british new punkband on the scene.
ithink there awesome, give thema try!
check this band out!! play acoustic
oh yes get Free Haven to play, they’re ace! And they’re northern! quality!
ooooooooooooh imagine playing there! ive stood infront of the unsigned stage to know its a big deal. please check us out as we’d be over the moon to play…
http://www.myspace.com/fosterkidsband
gaz foster child
http://www.myspace.com/takeinthetrash
check that out
ASK THE WOMBATS!!!! THEY ARE AMAZING AND I LOVE THEM! SO DOES EVERYONE!! hope they play
xxx
Oh my my….imagine playing leeds. one of these days it shall happen….maybe?? well, tis only you guys who can make it happen. so have yourselves a wee blez on our myspace pleases?if you want?don’t have to?twud b nice like…
http://www.myspace.com/thelovedonestheband
(i don’t know how to do that clever link thing…)
and as above…not quite sure where this is going….but hopefully some pleasant person shall have themselves a lovely listen to the loved ones.
apple X
Hi there. We would love to play leeds. This would mean everything to us. We have been going to leeds for a long long time now every year without fail nad we have just hoped to play one day. Check us out please i don’t know where this message is going but it must be going somewhere and someone must be reading this!
check us out http://www.myspace.com/forgottenangelsonline
phone number 01744752701 or 07731178682
You need to wait for the announcement(s), which will have all the information on them. We’re at least 3 months away from anything further being announced regarding unsigned bands … so no-one need rush.
Look again around May time, when more details may be revealed.
Where do you submit applications? What e-mail, address, etc…?
To be honest, I don’t know whether the Reading leg of the dual-site festival offers unsigned bands the same opportunities. Perhaps a site dedicated to Reading may offer some guidance as to whether unsigned bands can play at Reading.
Leeds Festival has featured unsigned local bands for many, many years now -for as long as I can remember- and it has become a more prominent feature since the introduction a couple of years ago of the dedicated ‘Unsigned Stage’ for the Leeds leg.
hey ya- this looks fantastic for bands for the north!! but what about the rest of us