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!
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.
Four piece band from Northern Ireland, have played in London before, and are sharing the stage with some big acts in N.I this spring. Looking to go on to play a bigger festival, like this.
Take a look, and tell me what you think.
http://www.myspace.com/silvercordonline
Thanks.
Bloo Von Dollie and her live dancers and string players called The Tea Time Rats! Fun industrial rock operatic music!
http://vampirefreaks.com/bloovondollie
contact info: [email protected]
….thankies! -Bloo
4 piece grime/indie rock band from london, played in some of the best unsigned venues in the capital.
“picture dizzee rascal teaming up with linkin park’- hope and anchor.
http://www.myspace.com/therockyroostars
http://www.facebook.com/roostarville
contact-
http://www.lucidtigermusic.com
4 peice prog rock band from ellesmere port, cheshire
love to work with leeds festival
get back to me
dryspell
Hi there
We are a band from Nottinghamshire.
We are indie / alternative genre.
We have lots of our own songs and have many covers.
Would compare ourselves to Arctic Monkeys.
Please email me. [email protected]
many thanks,
Best Served Chilled.
goooood afternoooon Leeds festival!
Will and the people are a perfect combination of Radiohead and Bob Marley…if you can imagine that!
here is a link to their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/willandthepeople
Hope you enjoy!!
David Rybka & The Victorian Dad Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVhx9NzpxyM
Seething Akira is a 3-piece electronica/hardcore/rock band from Portsmouth consisting of Aggressive vocals with meaningful lyrics, heavy beats with dark synths and distorted guitars.
They are due to release an EP within the next month. and are looking to promote this EP (and ourselves!) around the UK.
You can check out their music at any of the links below:
http://www.myspace.com/seethingakira
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seething-Akira/194552191510
http://www.twitter.com/seethingakira
We are live events photography specilist low cost high quality pro’s. So do you NEED A PHOTOGRAPHER for a band shoot? or a live gig then get in touch here!!! http://www.shinephotographyonline.co.uk/
We work in and around south Yorkshire and with our portable studio we come to you!!!!
Invisible Idols!
Please Please Please
x
The 40 bands selected for Futuresound 2010 have been announced.
Did your band get through?
Hiya – I wondered if my band selfish*lovers could get in @ leeds – we are really good band – and you can check out our myspace http://www.myspace.com/selfishloversmusic
and out own web-site http://www.selfishloversband.co.uk- we are currenlty been being played on the BBC – so our music is known on the unsigned seen.
Thank youx
THE STELLA FRAYS
http://www.TheStellaFrays.com
Dear,
I am Jens Noir an accoustic musician from Belgium and willing to play at your festival
You can listen my music at my website http://www.reverbnation.com/jensnoir
If you would like please contact me thank you
Sincerly,
Jens Noir
Wayward Child have been aurally assaulting Manchester, the northwest and Yorkshire for over a year now. From humble beginnings in various practice rooms, bedrooms and pubs they exploded onto the Manchester scene in the spring of 2009. They were instantly singled out as a breath of fresh rock-scented air in an otherwise stagnant pool of indie upstarts.
Fusing melodic, foot-tapping verses with huge, sing-along choruses – Wayward Child are a formidable musical force. Pounding drums, thumping bass, layered guitars and powerful vocals combine into an electric package designed to get a crowd moving; fists in the air.
We they were hand picked by DJ’s and then voted for by radio listeners into the final 5 of Manchester Rock Radios Battle of the Bands.
It would be one of our biggest dreams to play at Leeds festival so if you have any slots available, please contact us!!
http://www.waywardchild.co.uk
Would like to play. Look out for upcoming songs on our MySpace.
We are a three piece metal band from Btadford, we are all 15. We do covers of bands like Metallica, Megadeth, Guns N Roses and Pantera. We also write our own Metal/Thrash Metal songs. We would love to play at your festival so if you like what your hear reply to us.
http://www.myspace.com/thirteen16
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2cNrWG3V9I
Thanks
Hello
Leeds based 4 piece folk pop band.
You tube video of us in rehearsals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKPIeuTik8E
Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/blamedavedotnet
YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/blamedaveLEEDS
Available for weddings funerals and bring and buy sales.
Thank you
BLAME DAVE
.
To whom it may concern,
We’re a country band out of Danville,VA. We were checking to see if you have anymore slots open. We’ve traveled as far as Jacksonville,FL to play at The Jug where Lynyrd Skynyrd first got started. You can contact Gene Odom through http:// http://www.myspace.com/481984410 or Lynyrd Skynyrd Dixie to confirm it. You can visit http://www.myspace.com/thecowboyoutlaws to listen to our original songs, Unexpected Love and Carolina Midnight. The rest are cover tunes for bookings.
Thanks In Advance!
Cowboy Outlaws!
To whom it may concern,
We’re a country band out of Danville,VA. We were checking to see if you have anymore slots open. We’ve traveled as far as Jacksonville,FL to play at The Jug where Lynyrd Skynyrd first got started. You can contact Gene Odom through http://www.myspace.com/geneodom or Lynyrd Skynyrd Dixie to confirm it. You can visit http://www.myspace.com / thecowboyoutlaws to listen to our original songs, Unexpected Love and Carolina Midnight. The rest are cover tunes for bookings.
Thanks In Advance!
Cowboy Outlaws!
Hello, this is a message from a Canadian Urban Group Called Prosper and GPM. We would like to introduce you to our group through a short collage of pictures and Video’s.
Information
• Inspirational Urban Music Group
• Featuring there single “Without You”
• Album blessed and delivered available on I-Tunes
Contributes various styles of music with a positive message about hope, power, and influential change.
Contact
Melissa Laguerre/GPM Music Group Manager
613-277-2777
[email protected]
http://www.myspace.com/gpmministries
Stay B.A.D (Blessed and Delivered)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAo-IgEy4Xk
Hi there,
We are Raging Jupiter we are looking for a slot on Leeds festival if possible.
have a listen..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cjP7Gpy8gM
http://www.wix.com/ragingjupiters/ragingjupiters
http://www.myspace.com/ragingjupiter
http://www.facebook.com/ragingjupiter
Thank you
hi there we are kill mcgregor we are looking for a couple of festival slots this yaer
have a listen
http://www.myspace.com/killmcgregor
Hello, i’m a folk solo artist from Bedfordshire. Looking to play smaller stages of festivals this year. If you wanted to hear my music, the link is http://www.myspace.com/lewisborthwickmusic
Thankyou
Now then we are New Law
Any slots going for us would be great. Have a listen
http://www.myspace.com/newlawofficial
http://www.myspace.com/daveakageeze
Check us out http://www.myspace.com/themodernfaces
Any slots available at Festival be appreciated, sold out 850 capacity venues Velocity, headlined King Tuts, loads of big support slots, Played Alan McGees Death Disco and Ruby Lounge Manchester with our good mates The Vortex (Featuring Bonehead ex Oasis). Check us out and get involved! Be great to get involved with the festival!
Cheers
Modern Faces x
hey,
i hope you consider our band for a spot on the unsigned stage at leeds fest this year.
we are Oh! the drama., an electronic pop band from Doncaster.
over the past 3 months we have played countless shows around the Doncaster/Sheffield/Leeds area and have developed a huge fan base around the UK and distant shores.
you can check out our music at http://www.myspace.com/ohthedramamusic and if you need anything from us, please dont hesitate to ask.
thanks alot
Dave.
Hi
we are playing the leeds fringe festival on the 25th aug at carpe diem so this would be awsome whilst we are there to play at the big leeds fest what a opp that would be and just looked and the cribs are playing, this would be great as some of the band also come from wakefield as do they!! we would love this it wouuld give us some great press and give us the boost we need. thanks for all your support and most of all the other bands and our loyal fans.
Hey, we’re a 3 piece punk/rock band, June Missing. http://www.myspace.com/junemissing , check us out, something to sing along to. Would be great to hear from you. Thanks, Mike.
To whom it may concern…
Possibility of playing?
We are a four piece band called Wildfire, and we are based in Ryedale. We have played various gigs locally and futher a field; such as our recent gig in London, Headlining Virgin’s newest recruits ‘The Constellations’, who were recently used as Snoop Dogg’s support act and have just recorded a song with Asher Roth.
Having formed in late November 09, we have come along way and gained much experience and stage presence. We are looking forward to the Summer already owing to the fact that we are lined up to play at Culture Shock and Scarborough’s famous ‘Beached’ Festival. At both these festivals we will playing alongside big names, such as Dizzee Rascal and possibly Scouting For Girls.
Our typical set list is mixed with classic covers which we have tuned and tweeked to flaunt our style, and our own songs which are very melody orientated and comercial/catchy. Our two most popular songs have had numerous plays on Radio York, one being a blues number and the other an incredibly catchy rock and roll song, often commented on sounding like The Rolling Stones and the early days of Kings of Leon.
Heres is our website http://www.myspace.com/wildfireeeeee, And would you send us an address that we can post our cd to as we have yet to post our newest recordings on Myspace.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Many Thanks,
Wildfire
Who are “The Dirty Reds” …. http://www.myspace.com/thedirtyreds
Hey Just Seeing If We Could Get Our Chance To Play The Unsigned Stage At Leeds Would Be Epic.. http://www.shadowkey.co.uk All Info Is On There For Booking And Stuff… We Would Love To Play
We Can Fill A Hour And A Half Slot 
Many Thanks
hey i am just writing to try and help promote my band and if possible get our faces on the leeds fest line up were a small four piece from manchester called the northern lights we are young and upcoming and are full of enthusiasm and talent so i would just like to know who we contact to try and get involved
thanks so much,
Kyle G
http://www.myspace.com/themarmozets – these guys are quite literally amazing…aot mroe hardcore than the stuff that is up on there myspace but live they are so tight, so in sync..you never get board…great musically…!
thanks
rene x
I think Dave Leeds Music Scene, has made it clear guys that the ways to get on at the Festival are set out…….before you linked and clicked here even : )
…..having a good agent is another, which I would say, nowadays is vital…..so trying to get yourself on the books of one of the agents here in the UK, I’d say was a good start…if you can impress an agent enough so that they take you on, it then becomes their job to get you good gigs.festival slots etc…alas, the competition is hot hot hot.
good luck.
We are running a fringe event in Leeds and, DaveLMS, has been kind enough to mention that fact on this site, so please feel free to find us, firstly on this site, while on this site and keeping up with all the action surrounding the amazing Festivals at both Leeds & Reading, there is a link and we will get back to you or signpost you to the correct way to apply to come play Leeds Festival Fringe Events in 2010 and for many many many exciting years to come!!!
( we hopes : )
Playing on Leeds Fest is a dream that will never come true guys real talk. Its not about how good you are its about who you are paying!!
but never the less check out my music on
http://www.bigonroad.co.uk or http://www.myspace.com/maakarillion
please show some love
For anyone planning on posting a comment:
This site is NOT in any way involved in the selection process so please do not post requests to play at Leeds on here. Please READ the article as it tells you about the opportunities available.
hey where a punk indie electro band based in the north east of england, we have a large local following and have played with people such as young knives and iglu and hartly and soon to add echo and the bunnymen to our list in august. we have 3 members stevey on drums, sherlylin the newest member, vocals and bass and me daniel on lead guitar, synths, and lead vicals we play a rnage of instuments including grand piano also. its 2010 now and this is our year (hope) with a new name and a new style we hope to hit the festivals with a bang! already achieveing local festivals such as stockton fringe festivala and tall ships ! we’d love the oppertunity to hit it at leeds/reading fetsival in 2010. if there is a possition or application please email us it would be greatly appreciated. http://www.myspace.com/lithiumspeeddementia
(NEW DEMOS WILL BE ADDED NEXT WEEK)
Hey there,
We are a 3piece R&B band from Teeside and we would love to get the opportunity to perform at leeds festival as we are quiet well know in our area but we want to promote ourself and gain more fans.
also a R&B band would be something new to leeds fest for the people to enjoy.
our music genres are similar to Chipmunk, N-Dubz, Tinchy stryder, etc.
but you can also listen to our tracks on http://www.myspace.com/T3CUK
thank you.
T3C
Hello there my names David Murdoch im in a band Called Liar Liar would love to Play Leeds Festival 2010 just wondering how we get on the bill if you could let me know that would be great my bands myspace is
http://www.myspace.com/liarliaruk
Thank you wb-David x
Read the article you doosh bags. You can’t apply through here…
hey we are a 5 piece from leeds called Apollos basement, were looking to enter to play at leeds fest. could we get some info off you about the botb and how to enter please?
our myspace is http://www.myspace.com/apollo39sbasement if you fancy a listen
much appreciated Apollos Basement
Basilisk ahoy
We are a 3 piece Punk Rock band from leeds. We are all about having fun at our live shows. We promise you’ll have a laugh with us.
http://www.thebasiliskwearsairwalk.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/thebasiliskwearsairwalk
Basilisk out.
hey, please check out our band and i hope you like us, we are 4 canny lads from sunderland and our dream is to play leeds festival
listen to us here
http://www.myspace.com/staticlineparachute
hope you like our music, we are currently in the studio recoding our first E.P
cheers
x
anth
SLP
hello
we want to enter the comp to try and play at the leeds festival 2010 when where do we enter. we are a local band from leeds,wakefield playing a rock ,indie with a 80`s rock,pop feel. we have won the radio aire unsigned band 2009 and also won the battle of the bands earlier in the yaar and supported Mc Fly,the yeah yous and ironik at the party in the park in dewsbury.We also feature on Wakefield Wildcats tv. some say we are like the killers????? any way any info would be most appreciated.
check us out on http://www.myspace.com/thesightingband
also search for us under friends on facebook search for”sighting page”
thanks
I hope is still not late to present myself and offer myself to play at your festival this year Leeds Festival 2010
check out my live set
http://www.zshare.net/audio/59259769e52f2724/
http://www.myspace.com/alavux
Greetings From Serbia !
Sinerecly
Goran
Goran
hi there
we are a 5 peice pop rock/ pop punk band from leicester who are looking to participate in leeds and reading festival on the usnigned acts stage.
we have been nominated the most exciting band in leicester and have an awesome following it.
if you could email us any details that would be amazing
to fing out more about our band check out myspace @ myspace.com/formalwarninguk
the demo’s arent great but wqe are currently away from home recording
sincerely
Formal Warning
Article now updated for the festival in 2010.
A polite reminder: we are not in any way involved in the selection process so please do not post requests to play at Leeds on here (such messages will go unanswered!)
Dear Sir or Madam,
Hello
I am writing with regards to you.
We are a rock band in Iran and we want to participate in your festival for performance due to we want to know about your festival`s rules.
You can download and listen our music in our website ,Our website is http://www.mavaramusic.com and our email address is [email protected],
if you would like please contact us thank you.
Sincerely,
MAVARA