Live Review

Open Mic 2011 Auditions – Glasgow Concert Hall

• 21st Aug 2011

Just before 9am I entered Glasgow’s Concert Hall. All around me early arrivals for the under 16 auditions headed towards the Green Room, some looking nervous, others excited. With half an hour still to go before the start time it looked like it would be a busy day.

I was there as a member of the Open Mic 2011 judging panel, representing Glasswerk. Together with five others from the music world, we would decide which acts in three different age categories would go on to the Scottish finals next month.

After meeting up with the other judges and going through the procedures for the day we were ready to begin. The first five performers filed into the room and stood before us. One by one they were invited to sing, with just two minutes to sell themselves. After each group left we had a discussion and separated the contestants into three categories: yes, no and see again.

Most of those auditioning sung covers of pop songs, with Adele and Amy Winehouse especially popular. A few offered original songs or raps. Many sung without accompaniment, while some had brought guitars or backing tracks. Some started nervously while others performed confidently.

When we had seen everyone we had a fair number through to the final. But we needed some from the maybes too, and they were all invited back for a short second performance. After some discussion we finally agreed on who had made it though and who would leave disappointed.

The quality amongst the under 16 age group was easily the best of the day. Some of the very youngest, not yet into their teens, showed real promise although perhaps needing a little more time to practice and develop. But there were many who secured their place in the final within seconds of starting to sing.

Once we had our quota of finalists secured, we started all over again, following the same procedure for the 17 to 22 age group and then once more for the over 23s. It was a long session, with more than 150 auditions heard, but ultimately a rewarding one.

Next month the finalists will take to the stage, once again in the regal surroundings of the Concert Hall, and will have a little longer to impress the judges. A small number of the contestants in each age group will go through to the Area Final where they will sing for a chance to make the Grand Final at London’s O2 Arena in January.

Will any of the singers from these auditions make it all the way through to the final? That remains to be seen. For 70 or so of the acts we saw the dream remains alive.

Open Mic 2011 is a tremendous opportunity for vocalists to show their talents, with some fabulous prizes at the end. I’m very pleased to have been invited to be a part of it, and am looking to the finals next month.