Open Mic UK
Encyclopedia
Open Mic UK is a live music competition in the UK for singers, vocalists and solo artists. Acts compete at regional auditions to get the chance to perform live at live music showcases to reach an annual national final, which is held at the IndigO2 in London
as part of Live Fest
. The event, which offers a recording contract and investment to the final winner, was described by Joel James of BBC
York & North Yorkshire as "one of the toughest competitions in the country."
for vocal groups and solo artists. The competition was originally devised by Chris Grayston
as a spin-off from the Live and Unsigned competition as a result of the high number of solo singers and vocalist entrants to that competition, who were without their own songs. Entrants compete in a series of local and regional heats for a chance to perform at the National Grand Final, and the chosen acts in each category compete at the final event. 2008 and 2009 had approximately 10,000 competing acts, and in 2010, approximately 9,000 acts took part.
, groups, and acoustic singer/songwriters of all genres are accepted as competitors. The competition is divided into three age categories; 16 and under, 17-23, and 23 and over.
es and a music video.
The annual grand prize for winning the overall competition includes a management deal and an investment. In 2009, this included recording an album in professional studios with an industry vocal specialist. The winner also received a £25,000 investment, a recording contract and a management deal. In 2010, there was an overall £50,000 pool of prizes for winners, with a grand prize investment of up to £30,000. The prize is reported to be the same for the upcoming 2011 competition.
on 28 November 2008.
The 12-year old singer/songwriter Birdy
won both the under 18s category and the overall contest. She performed her own song at the competition called "So Be Free" in front of 2,000 people, both singing and playing keyboard. Her prize was to record her album in a studio, and she subsequently signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records
. In 2011, her version of Bon Iver
's "Skinny Love
" reached the top twenty of the UK music charts. The single entered the UK Singles Chart
Top 40 on 13 March 2011 at number 25 and in the same week reached number 10 on iTunes
' UK singles chart.
and The Willows in Manchester
. The regional finals leading up to the event took place that October, with the Cardiff
final taking place at the Coal Exchange, and another large event at Glasgow
's Royal Concert Hall
.
Among the performers at the National Grand Final were Vicky Gladwin, Heath Lanzillotti, and Lisa Crawford. 16-year old pianist and singer Megan Thomas was unanimously voted the winner of the Under-18 category in the North Grand Final, and soprano
Kirsty Michele Anderson, an 18-year-old from Hinckley
, won her age category as well, with the Over 25 North Final being won by Paul Speak-Heaton. Anderson later went on to perform at Walkers Stadium
on Boxing Day
, and in April 2010 became the youngest soprano in history to play Mimì in Puccini's opera
La bohème
. The South Grand Final winners were London
busker Jon Curtis who won the over 25-category, Luke Banot who took the 18-24 category, and Under 18 winner Esther Boxell. The Overall winner of Open Mic UK 2009 was the singer/songwriter Luke Banot.
.
Among the final participants were Katie Benbow of Dyserth
. Hatty Keane
from Macclesfield
was the winner of the Under-18 category, and was crowned the overall runner-up. Keane afterwards signed with Future Music and the music company BGM
, and later toured as the support for Britain's Got Talent
2010 winners Spelbound
. She counts names such as Taio Cruz
and producer Deejay
amongst her fans. The overall winner was Fran Classic, who also won the 18-25 category.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as part of Live Fest
Live Fest
Live Fest is a bi-annual music festival held at The O2 in London. According to its organizers, it is the largest indoor music festival in the United Kingdom. In the first festival on July 23, 2011, some of the headlining acts included Zane Lowe, Tinchy Stryder, Roll Deep, The Hoosiers, and Funeral...
. The event, which offers a recording contract and investment to the final winner, was described by Joel James of BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
York & North Yorkshire as "one of the toughest competitions in the country."
Overview
According to its organizers, Open Mic UK is the largest music competition in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for vocal groups and solo artists. The competition was originally devised by Chris Grayston
Chris Grayston
Chris Grayston is a British music promoter, event organizer, record producer, musician, label owner, and talent scout. He served as a music promoter in the early 1990s for acts such as Judge Jules, DJ Spoony, DJ Fabio and Grooverider, and promoted the massive "Fusion" raves across the United...
as a spin-off from the Live and Unsigned competition as a result of the high number of solo singers and vocalist entrants to that competition, who were without their own songs. Entrants compete in a series of local and regional heats for a chance to perform at the National Grand Final, and the chosen acts in each category compete at the final event. 2008 and 2009 had approximately 10,000 competing acts, and in 2010, approximately 9,000 acts took part.
Categories
Singers, rappersRap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
, groups, and acoustic singer/songwriters of all genres are accepted as competitors. The competition is divided into three age categories; 16 and under, 17-23, and 23 and over.
Judging
Acts can perform either covers or their own original material live, and demos and recorded material are not accepted. Judges from the music industry, celebrities and record labels score all performances on the basis of vocal/musical talent, stage performance, star quality, and individuality, and the winning acts in the age categories must earn the most points from judges. There is also a point where the audience can vote in order to aid those in the judges' top scores to make it to the next round of the competition.Prizes
Each year the different category winners are invited to go on the Open Mic UK Tour, performing up to 100 different gigs across the United Kingdom. Other regular prizes include master classMaster class
A master class is a class given to students of a particular discipline by an expert of that discipline—usually music, but also painting, drama, or any of the arts....
es and a music video.
The annual grand prize for winning the overall competition includes a management deal and an investment. In 2009, this included recording an album in professional studios with an industry vocal specialist. The winner also received a £25,000 investment, a recording contract and a management deal. In 2010, there was an overall £50,000 pool of prizes for winners, with a grand prize investment of up to £30,000. The prize is reported to be the same for the upcoming 2011 competition.
2008
The first Open Mic UK took place in 2008. After a series of localized and regional finals, the National Grand Final took place at the Portsmouth GuildhallPortsmouth Guildhall
Portsmouth Guildhall is the biggest events venue in the Hampshire city of Portsmouth in England. The building, completed in 1890, was designed in the neo-classical style by architect William Hill, who had earlier been responsible for the design of the town hall in Bolton...
on 28 November 2008.
The 12-year old singer/songwriter Birdy
Birdy (musician)
Jasmine van den Bogaerde, also known by her stage name Birdy, is an English musician known for winning the music competition Open Mic UK in 2008, at the age of 12. Her version of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" was released in January 2011, peaking inside the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart and in...
won both the under 18s category and the overall contest. She performed her own song at the competition called "So Be Free" in front of 2,000 people, both singing and playing keyboard. Her prize was to record her album in a studio, and she subsequently signed a deal with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
. In 2011, her version of Bon Iver
Bon Iver
Bon Iver is a Grammy nominated folk band founded in 2007 by American indie folk singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. It includes Michael Noyce, Sean Carey, and Matthew McCaughan. Vernon released Bon Iver's debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago independently in July 2007. The majority of that album was...
's "Skinny Love
Skinny Love
"Skinny Love" is a song by American indie folk band Bon Iver. The song was released as single in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2008. It was the first single released from their 2007 debut album For Emma, Forever Ago.-Birdy version:...
" reached the top twenty of the UK music charts. The single entered the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
Top 40 on 13 March 2011 at number 25 and in the same week reached number 10 on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
' UK singles chart.
2009
The 2009 Grand Final was split into both the South and North finals with the respective finals taking place at Portsmouth GuildhallPortsmouth Guildhall
Portsmouth Guildhall is the biggest events venue in the Hampshire city of Portsmouth in England. The building, completed in 1890, was designed in the neo-classical style by architect William Hill, who had earlier been responsible for the design of the town hall in Bolton...
and The Willows in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. The regional finals leading up to the event took place that October, with the Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
final taking place at the Coal Exchange, and another large event at Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
's Royal Concert Hall
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is an arts venue, in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It is operated by Glasgow Life, an agency of Glasgow City Council, which also runs Glasgow’s City Halls and Old Fruitmarket venue...
.
Among the performers at the National Grand Final were Vicky Gladwin, Heath Lanzillotti, and Lisa Crawford. 16-year old pianist and singer Megan Thomas was unanimously voted the winner of the Under-18 category in the North Grand Final, and soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
Kirsty Michele Anderson, an 18-year-old from Hinckley
Hinckley
Hinckley is a town in southwest Leicestershire, England. It has a population of 43,246 . It is administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council...
, won her age category as well, with the Over 25 North Final being won by Paul Speak-Heaton. Anderson later went on to perform at Walkers Stadium
Walkers Stadium
The King Power Stadium is a football stadium which hosts home matches of English football club Leicester City. The all-seater stadium, inaugurated in July 2002, holds 32,500 and has the 19th largest stadium capacity in England. The stadium is named after King Power, a company owned by club owner...
on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
, and in April 2010 became the youngest soprano in history to play Mimì in Puccini's opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
La bohème
La bohème
La bohème is an opera in four acts,Puccini called the divisions quadro, a tableau or "image", rather than atto . by Giacomo Puccini to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa, based on Scènes de la vie de bohème by Henri Murger...
. The South Grand Final winners were London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
busker Jon Curtis who won the over 25-category, Luke Banot who took the 18-24 category, and Under 18 winner Esther Boxell. The Overall winner of Open Mic UK 2009 was the singer/songwriter Luke Banot.
2010
In 2010, the regional finals again took place throughout the United Kingdom in October. The National Grand Final was an all-day event on 15 January 2011 at The O2's indigO2 venue in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Among the final participants were Katie Benbow of Dyserth
Dyserth
Dyserth is a village in Denbighshire, Wales. Population : 2,566 . Its main features are the extensive quarrying remains, its waterfalls, railway line , and mountain ....
. Hatty Keane
Hatty Keane
Hatty Keane is an English R&B and pop singer. In January 2011 she won the under-18 category of Open Mic UK at the age of 16. She signed to BGM and Future Music shortly afterwards. In June 2011 she performed alongside Tinchy Stryder at Live Fest at the O2 in London, and in November 2011 performed...
from Macclesfield
Macclesfield
Macclesfield is a market town within the unitary authority of Cheshire East, the county palatine of Chester, also known as the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The population of the Macclesfield urban sub-area at the time of the 2001 census was 50,688...
was the winner of the Under-18 category, and was crowned the overall runner-up. Keane afterwards signed with Future Music and the music company BGM
BGM
BGM can mean:*Greater Binghamton Airport serving Binghamton, New York *Background music*an abbreviation for the former Bell Globemedia, now Bell Media*BGM , Japanese band YMO's album*Bonnier Gazell Music...
, and later toured as the support for Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent (series 4)
The fourth series of Britain's Got Talent was broadcast on ITV from 17 April 2010 to 5 June 2010. It was presented by Ant & Dec and won by gymnastic troupe Spelbound. Judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden returned for the televised auditions on 18 January at the Clyde Auditorium in...
2010 winners Spelbound
Spelbound
Spelbound are a gymnastic troupe from the United Kingdom who rose to fame in 2010, winning the fourth series of Britain's Got Talent. The prize was £100,000 and the opportunity to appear at the 2010 Royal Variety Performance. They also performed in the Britain's Got Talent Live tour...
. She counts names such as Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz
Taio Cruz is a British singer-songwriter, record producer, occasional rapper, and entrepreneur. In 2008, he released his debut album Departure, which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced himself. It achieved initial success in the UK and earned him a MOBO Award nomination...
and producer Deejay
Deejay
A deejay is a reggae or dancehall musician who sings and toasts to an instrumental riddim .Deejays are not to be confused with disc jockeys from other music genres like hip-hop, where they select and play music. Dancehall/reggae DJs who select riddims to play are called selectors...
amongst her fans. The overall winner was Fran Classic, who also won the 18-25 category.
Overall winners
| Date | Grand Winner | Under-18 | 18-24 | Over-25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Birdy Birdy (musician) Jasmine van den Bogaerde, also known by her stage name Birdy, is an English musician known for winning the music competition Open Mic UK in 2008, at the age of 12. Her version of Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" was released in January 2011, peaking inside the top twenty of the UK Singles Chart and in... |
Birdy | ||
| 2009 | Luke Banot | Megan Thomas, Esther Boxell |
Kirsty Michele Anderson, Luke Banot |
Jon Curtis, Paul Speak-Heaton |
| 2010 | Fran Classic | Hatty Keane Hatty Keane Hatty Keane is an English R&B and pop singer. In January 2011 she won the under-18 category of Open Mic UK at the age of 16. She signed to BGM and Future Music shortly afterwards. In June 2011 she performed alongside Tinchy Stryder at Live Fest at the O2 in London, and in November 2011 performed... |
Fran Classic | Eden Vernett Showers |
Judging panels
- Chris GraystonChris GraystonChris Grayston is a British music promoter, event organizer, record producer, musician, label owner, and talent scout. He served as a music promoter in the early 1990s for acts such as Judge Jules, DJ Spoony, DJ Fabio and Grooverider, and promoted the massive "Fusion" raves across the United...
(2008-2010) - Dane BowersDane BowersDane Bowers is an English R&B singer, songwriter, DJ and record producer. He was a part of R&B boyband Another Level between 1997 and 2000 when he performed on seven Top 10 singles...
(2010) - Lee Latchford-EvansLee Latchford-EvansLee Latchford-Evans is an English pop singer, actor and dancer, most famous for being a member of the British pop group Steps.-Biography:...
(2010) - Liz McClarnonLiz McClarnonElizabeth Margaret "Liz" McClarnon is an English pop singer, dancer and television presenter. She was a member of the group Atomic Kitten and originated the role of Paulette in the first UK tour of Legally Blonde the musical....
(2010) - Ras KwameRas KwameRas Kwame is a British radio DJ and presenter. He started in the music industry as a club DJ playing hip hop, R&B and reggae in the early 1990s. He then moved on to promoting for Kiss100's groundbreaking Starlight Club night and the Mean Fiddler’s Subterranea Club, bringing over talent from the US...
(2010) - Shola AmaShola AmaShola Ama is an English singer who scored her biggest hit in 1997 with a cover of Turley Richards' "You Might Need Somebody".-Early life and career:...
(2010) - Michael King (2010)
- James Dakers (2010)
- Gareth Henderson (2008-2010)
- Vic Bynoe (2010)
- Mesha Bryan (2008-2010)
- Darren Ashford (2009, 2010)
- Paul Stanborough (2010)
- Steve Lyon (2010)