Saturday 12th April Live and Unsigned 2008 National Final Beckons For Hull Band The Riffs Pics By Dr Gonzo Photography

The Riffs from Hull have now made the regional finals, previously battling through rounds of auditions and a semi final live show to reach the regional final competition of Live and Unsigned 2008. At this moment, The Riffs are one impressive performance away from making it to the grand national final, taking place in London, in a bid to be crowned the UK's best 'Live and Unsigned' band or solo act of 2008.

Live and Unsigned is a national music competition for unsigned bands and singers to compete live. It stands as the biggest music talent search in the UK outside a certain ITV show. The difference with Live and Unsigned is that the acts taking part are encouraged to do their own thing; be individual, original, perform their own genre and style Live.

Chris Grayston, Events Director of Live & Unsigned explains "This cannot be compared to any other talent searches as the acts talent is the show. We are interested in discovering and exposing talent at its best; live! It is as simple as we say Get Live, get signed."

Contestants who have evidently caught their eye is local talent The Riffs, now competing for a place in the National finals, with the possibility of grabbing that break through recording contract from over 10,000 that have applied for this years competition. The overall adult winner of the competition wins a Recording and management contract with Future Music with an investment of up to £20,000 to release their single with Future Music. If The Riffs continues with their success, they could be crowned the UK's best Live and Unsigned act in front of a capacity crowd at Fairfield Halls,

London on the 28th June, including many professionals from within the music industry. They will be thrust into the media spotlight through television, radio and the press and furthermore all winners will all be invited on the UK Live and Unsigned Tour. The 2007 competition boasted ITV coverage and for 2008, Sky Television plan to film the regional and grand final, programmed to be broadcast with a weekly peak time show.

Dane Bowers, who anchored the R&B quartet Another Level, is a Judge comments; 'This competition gives everyone a great opportunity to show what they can do'. Paul King from Future Music, who is better known in the music industry as the former Manager of Tears for Fears, Julian Cope, Level 42 and tour Manager for Genesis says "We have found that the competition is so effective for us to discover talented acts and bands and to place them in the music market place.

We can really see those acts that have the commitment and fan base to be successful in the industry...and for the acts involved it is a great opportunity to develop, improve and impress."

The Riffs will be competing amongst other talented hopefuls at the regional final show held at the Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield on the 12th April for a place in the National Grand final. For more information visit www.liveandunsigned.uk.com Or contact Future Music via e-mail on info@LiveandUnsigned.UK.com

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