STILL TIME TO TAKE ONE STEP FURTHER ON ROAD TO STARDOM
News release
Hebridean Celtic Festival
Year of Homecoming 2014
- HebCelt talent contest deadline nears
- Clock ticking for festival main stage slot audition
- International stage beckons for lucky winner
The deadline is looming for young artists keen to win a sought-after main stage slot at one of Scotland’s leading music festivals.
More than 30 acts have already been booked for this year’s Hebridean Celtic Festival which will have its biggest ever line-up this summer and will attract an international audience of about 16,000 to Stornoway in the island of Lewis.
The one remaining spot to be filled on the main stage will go to the young band or singer, from anywhere in the world, who emerges victorious in a competition launched last month for emerging talent.
With just a few days left before the 12 April deadline for entries, festival organisers are urging performers to take advantage of the unique opportunity which could give them a big break on stage.
The One Step Further competition, which has been backed by internationally renowned musician Duncan Chisholm, is open to any performer, aged between 18 and 25 at the time of the festival, playing a genre of music that reflects the general programming of the event.
To enter, artists need to prepare a promotional pack in electronic format that includes links to three good quality recordings of their music, at least one high resolution photograph and a biography. They can also include links to a live performance.
Submissions should be sent by email by 5pm on 12 April to office@hebceltfest.com and marked HebCelt New Talent Submissions.
The winners will be announced on 3 May and will perform live on either Friday, 19th or Saturday, 20th July on the main stage where they will join headliners Levellers, Big Country and Donnie Munro, as well as renowned acts including Duncan Chisholm and Cara Dillon. They will also receive £300 towards expenses.
Glasgow-based trio Muran won the 2012 competition just six months after forming, while female quartet Gria took the prize last year, three months after playing their first gig.
Festival Director Caroline Maclennan, said: “The One Step Further competition is a fantastic opportunity for young artists to showcase their music to a large and appreciative audience.
“We have received a good response so far but there is still time for others to send in recordings and give the judges an even harder task to pick a winner.”
The 19th HebCelt will be held from 16-19 July. This year the festival was selected as one of the top 10 UK summer festivals for the fourth year in succession by the influential music magazine Songlines.
NOTES TO EDITORS
The 2013 HebCelt was the most successful in its history with ticket sales showing an increase of over 30 per cent on 2012. Just over half the 16,000 festival-goers came from outside the Hebrides and the huge influx of visitors from across Europe, the US, Australia and New Zealand, helped generate around £1 million for the local economy
Last year HebCelt was also hailed as one of the greenest festivals in the world after being the only Scottish event to receive an Outstanding award from environmental campaign group A Greener Festival. In addition, it was shortlisted in the Greener Festival category in the UK Festival Awards and in the Best Independent Festival category in the AIM Independent Music Awards.
In 2011 it was ranked Best Large Festival at the industry-sponsored Scottish Event Awards and it won Best Event of the Year award at the MG Alba Scots Trad Music Awards in 2004 and 2009.
For more information contact
John Ross
Lucid PR
01463 724593; 07730 099617
johnross@lucidmessages.com
Tags:
