It might not be as big as the music competitions you see on TV but the Soundwave Music Competition is something that has everyone talking about and looking to be involved in.
Hosting the show is Jenny Cook from the Capital breakfast show; introducing each one of the 12 unsigned acts and explaining the prize of an ultimate record and exposure deal and allowing each act to give us some information about them.
In the Dark bring a mixture of dance and pop to the competition with lead singer Sophie Russell’s vocals adding to the electronic beats of tracks such as ‘Machine’ and ‘Stars’ .
Irish born solo artist Michael McGurn’s rendition of Britney Spears ‘Toxic’ and his own song ‘Lost and Found’ from his new EP, bring a more relaxed tone to the competition.
Black Heart Beats have a mixture of indie, rock and blues to their sound and have the crowd’s attention from the start to the end of the set, and that’s not a surprise as lead singer Scotty Rafferty’s vocals are brilliant.
With Dundee’s 140 Or Less it’s easy to see where their music influences come from, a mixture of pop punk, but isn’t unique enough.
Geoff Rowan is popular with the crowd and with a voice like his no wonder.
His own track ‘Gimmie Your Time‘ and his version of Wretch 32’s ‘Don’t Go’ shows that it’s not just his vocals that help ease his way to the final but his writing skills too.
Nine-year-old Kiera Swift dazzles the crowd with her mature vocals and her confidence covering songs like Mariah Carey’s ‘Hurt’ and Creedence Clearwater’s hit ‘Proud Mary’.
Isle of Lewis trio Paramount put some rock and roll back into the competition with their tracks ‘Knife Edge’ and ‘No More Life’ giving the audience a mixture of sounds reminiscent of Status Quo with a hint of Oasis and Muse.
Really picking things up a bit is Greenock folk band Reely Jiggered, a band you would expect to see on the TV just after the bells on Hogmanay with the bagpipes playing alongside guitar, fiddle, flute and drums.
Lost Nath, a solo artist from Armadale for some reason reminds of Olly Murs with a slightly more indie sound to his voice, not the best act of the night but he definitely has a talent.
Inverness indie group The Stellers are more of a tribute act of Oasis or The Charlatans and don’t show much individuality or originality.
The over confidence of lead singer Darren MacRae may have cost them their votes but their song writing skills on tracks such as ‘How Did It Feel Lucy’ and ‘Sunshine’ show that behind the overtaking egos there is definitely talent there.
After launching their EP in a gothic church on Halloween, Jagged Violet grace us with their talent and bring their own style of country rock with a hint of Latino to the competition, definitely a band to watch out for.
Last but far from least is Glasgow rock band Flying By Mirrors, and obvious influences of All Time Low and Green Day come through on ‘Pictures On The Wall’ and the more up tempo track ‘Harlequin’.
While votes are being counted Jamie Devine, one of the organisers of the event shows off is amazing vocals with a cover of Snow Patrol’s ‘Chasing Cars’ and Birdy’s ‘Skinny Love’.
Two of the judges from the hip hop duo, The Ned’s, embrace us with their raps, comedy and a little bit of dance music that seemed to have mixed responses from the audience.
In the end it is Reely Jiggered who come out top trumps on the night winning the ultimate recording package as well as a whole new bunch of fans.
Words: Lorraine Dimmock
Photos: Vicky Anderson
Reblogged this on Catchlight Photography and commented:
Review with photographs taken by Catchlight Photography.
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