ROCK ’n’ roll hopefuls from across West Yorkshire are tuning up for a shot at the big time.
Twelve young acts from the county will take to the stage at the O2 Academy Leeds on Tuesday, July 19, for the final of this year’s Centre Stage competition.
The winner will land a prize that money can’t buy – a place on the bill at Leeds Festival and its sister event in Reading.
And the judges on the panel with the task of choosing the final’s top act know more than most about the glamour and glitz of a festival appearance.
They include Melvin Benn, managing director of Leeds and Reading organiser Festival Republic, as well as Mike Heaton from Embrace and Matt Bowman from The Pigeon Detectives.
Held for the first time last year, Centre Stage was launched with the aim of raising more than £150,000 for Martin House children’s hospice, near Wetherby.
Martin House fundraiser Sarah Smith said: “We know how hard all the bands have been practising and how much winning this competition means.
“We are thrilled to be able to make this possible for them, thanks to the generosity and support of Melvin Benn and Festival Republic.”
All of West Yorkshire’s secondary schools and colleges were invited to put forward acts for the contest.
The best 40 entries were then whittled down to the final 12 during heats held in April at Leeds Irish Centre.
Acts that made it through to next Tuesday include Inlaze, Sprayed Aces, Neve, The Mexanines and The Riatines.
Doors open for the final at 6pm, with the show due to start at 6.45pm.
The night will also feature sets from 2010 Centre Stage winners Penguin and Embrace man Mickey Dale’s side project Talk To Angels. Advance tickets cost £5 or £3 for concessions. For more information, visit: www.02academyleeds.co.uk
Comments