MARTIN HOUSE CHILDREN’S
HOSPICE’S CENTRE STAGE 2013
THE FINAL – O2
ACADEMY, LEEDS – 17TH JULY 2013
Back in April, Martin
House Children’s Hospice held their fourth, annual Centre Stage Heats at The
Wardrobe, Leeds. Over a thousand people came down to support almost thirty
local, young bands and artists who battled it out to earn themselves a place at
this month’s Final, where they will compete for a place on the bill at
both the Leeds and Reading Festivals this August.
The Final is
now looming and very eagerly anticipated, and is set to take place on Wednesday
17th July 2013 at O2 Academy, Leeds. The event will see their
most diverse range of contenders to date, and will be judged by a high
profile panel, including Jon McIldowie (Booker for Leeds and Reading),
Mike Heaton (Embrace) and Colin Oliver (Futuresound).
The evening
will be hosted by BBC Introducing’s Alan Raw, who will also be introducing the
winners when they take to the stage at the Leeds Festival.
The lucky
finalists are: Icarus, Roman Bison, The Puppeteers, Yo Preston, Pony and Trap,
Headwire, Jacobean Ruff, King No-One, The Amazing Scuba Divers, The Imports and
Quentin’s Basement - all fine examples of young people utterly dedicated to performing
music that they are so passionate about. Glassbody (2012’s winners) and The
Mexanines (2011’s winners) will also be performing as special guests.
Since securing
their places as finalists, the bands have been taking this opportunity very
seriously – upping their rehearsal times, writing new material and getting lots
of gigging practice. Not to mention continuing to fundraise and help raise the
profile of the competition. As preparation for the final, Martin House
organised professional mentor sessions at Old Chapel Studios, to answer any
last minute questions and to deliver some constructive advice for their big
performance.
Last year’s
final saw over 1300 music fans support the bands and Martin House and this year
looks set to attract an even bigger crowd! Tickets available now on O2 Academy,
Leeds, website, only £6.50/£4.50 concessions. People are also welcome to pay on
the door. Doors open and 6pm and the event will kick off just before 7pm.
Fantastic
prizes also awarded to ‘the best fundraisers’, ‘the runners up’ and ‘the act
to bring the most support’. Blacks Solicitors are assisting with sponsorship
for the event.
Centre
Stage Background: The premise of the Centre Stage competition is to
give young bands a fantastic platform, exposure and once in a lifetime
opportunity whilst raising vital funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice. In
2009, this new Martin House fundraising initiative was conceived: a musical
talent competition, which would invite all secondary schools and colleges in
West Yorkshire to take part and ultimately enter their most gifted musical
talent. Since its initial launch, by The Pigeon Detectives in Autumn 2009,
Centre Stage has so far provided a platform for over 130 young musical acts in
West and North Yorkshire and raised over £130,000 for Martin House Children’s
Hospice. The competition has the support of Embrace, The Pigeon Detectives, The
Cribs and Festival Republic.
In order to enter, artists must be under 21 years old
and in North or West Yorkshire. To put themselves forward for this fantastic
opportunity, artists/bands commit to undertake their own fundraising ventures
and raise vital funds for the hospice: to care for children and young adults,
with life limiting illnesses. The perfect example of young people helping young
people.
Martin House Children’s Hospice: Martin House Children’s Hospice cares for children
and young people, throughout Yorkshire, who have a life limiting illness. They
support their families too, through the life of their child and through their
bereavement. On opening in 1987, they were only the second children’s hospice
in the UK. They now have an established teenage unit, Whitby Lodge, which was
the first in the world to open. Martin House needs to raise almost £5m this
year to run, receiving less than 12% from Government sources.
Official Twitters
@centrestage2012 // @MartinHouseCH // @OfficialRandL
Official Websites
Icarus, Jacobean Ruff, Roman Bison, The Imports, Headwire, Pony & Trap, Amazing Scuba Divers, The Puppeteers, King No-One, Quentin's Basement and Yo Preston who entertained us for the next 2 hours all hoping to claim the prize to play at Leeds and Reading Festival 2013. All these young bands have raised over £1000 each for Martin House Children's Hospice 
During the interval, whilst the Judges made their deliberations The Mexanines (winners 2011) gave a special performance with their new line-up. Eventually the results were in and all the bands were waiting with baited breath until they were announced.
