Bands battle it out in competition to win spot at Leeds Festival

The best bands from across Yorkshire will battle it out for a sought-after spot playing to thousands of music fans at Leeds Festival.
The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Pic: Tony Johnson.The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Pic: Tony Johnson.
The Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds. Pic: Tony Johnson.

The Centre Stage competition will be held across three days at Belgrave Music Hall, starting from tonight.

The event, which is now in its seventh year, has raised more than £200,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice.

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Mike Heaton, the drummer of rock band Embrace, works closely on the project.

He said: “We have an exciting array of contenders so far – both soloists and bands.

“We can still accommodate a couple more acts, so I’d urge young acts to really seize this opportunity.

“It has been so satisfying to see past Centre Stage winners and finalists signing record deals and gigging the country.”

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Acts taking part this year include Territory, Danny Aspinall and The Velveteens.

A panel of experts will choose the lucky finalists, who will go on to compete at the O2 Academy on July 27 for a spot at Leeds and Reading Festivals.

The winner will also get to record a music video.

Managing director at Festival Republic, Melvin Benn, said: “Every year I’ve been impressed by the calibre of the young artists who participate, and blown away by the commitment and effort they put into their fundraising.

“I’m delighted to be involved as Centre Stage has gone from strength to strength.”

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The competition runs from April 18 to 20, with the performances starting at 7pm each night.

Tickets are available on the door and cost £4 each.

To get involved, call Sarah Smith on 01937 844 569 or e-mail [email protected]. Participants must be from Yorkshire and aged between 11 and 22 years old.