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| Photos by Shot by Sodium |
Hot on the heels of ‘Centre Stage’ winning Hospice UK's 2014 National Award for 'Innovation in Income Generation', 2015’s competition is about to reach its climax. Martin House Children’s Hospice, together with Leeds & Reading Festivals, are eagerly awaiting the Centre Stage Final to discover which act will ultimately claim the prize of playing at this August's Leeds AND Reading Festivals, AND a music performance video with Shot by Sodium.
Back in April, the charity held their sixth, annual Centre Stage Heats at The Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds. The venue hosted three nights of young, local bands and artists battling it out to earn themselves a place at this month’s Final.
The event is now looming and very eagerly anticipated, and is set to take place on Wednesday 22nd July at the O2 Academy, Leeds. The event will see a diverse range of contenders, all under 21 years old, and will be judged by a high profile panel, including Jon McIldowie (Booker for Leeds and Reading), Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale (Embrace), Ross Jarman (The Cribs) and James Brown (Pulled Apart by Horses). The evening will be hosted by local Music Producer, Ed Heaton.
This year’s finalists come from all corners of the region: Leeds, Wakefield, York, Harrogate, Otley and Barnsley and they are set to deliver an array of musical styles from folk to alt-rock and pop punk to surf rock:
ABSENT PARACHUTE
ATLANTA HOUSE
BLYSS
HUW EDDY
JACK HAINING
LONE GUNS
THE MALLRATS
OUTSIDE SOUTH
PORL WHOS
TAXI FOR BOB
Special Guests Polo (winners of 2014) who will be opening the show with a collaboration with Rock School UK.
Since securing their places, the finalists have been busy upping their rehearsal time, writing new material and getting lots of gigging practice, not to mention continuing their fundraising and helping to raise the profile of the competition and charity. As preparation for the final, Martin House organised professional mentor sessions at Old Chapel Studios, Leeds, to deliver some constructive advice for their big performance.
The competition has now raised over £180,000 for the charity, which has been channelled directly into the care of the children and their families at Martin House Children’s Hospice.
Fantastic prizes also awarded to ‘the best fundraisers’, ‘the runners up’, ‘best promotion and publicity’ and ‘best door tally’. Blacks Solicitors are assisting with sponsorship for the event.
The Final will be held on Wednesday 22ndd July at O2 Academy, Leeds. Doors 6pm. Show starts 7pm. Tickets are available at www.o2academyleeds.co.uk at £7/£5 (concs). The event will also be pay on the door.
Notes:
Please credit photographs to ‘Sodium’ (http://www.shotbysodium.com/)
Contact: Sarah Smith – Centre Stage Organiser:
ssmith@martinhouse.org.uk // 01937 844569
https://www.facebook.com/centre.stage.5
www.martinhouse.org.uk
Twitter: @centrestage2015 // @MartinHouseCH
