Blues star shines in final
BLUESMAN Damien Paul and his band Whisky River stormed to victory at the grand final of Live/Wired on Good Friday.
They fought off tough competition from the Island's Alex Mountford, Vanzatti, The Scores and The Golden Strands — to claim a spot on the Acoustic Stage at this year's Isle of Wight Festival, record with a professional engineer at Platform One’s studio and have their track played on Isle of Wight Radio.
Hundreds of music lovers turned out for the climax of the competition, in association with Platform One and Isle of Wight Radio, held at Ryde Theatre.
Judges were Andy Booth, of the band Go Audio, music producer Andy Gray-Ling and promoter Vic King.
Pictures and video of the acts coming soon.
Fifth band get golden opportunity
LIVE/Wired finalists have allowed a fifth act to compete in the climax of the competition after a mistake by judges led to the wrong act going through.
Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, was packed on Friday as some of the Island’s best music acts competed in the second live heat of the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio.
Damien Paul, The Scores, The Golden Strands and James Hunt were battling for a place in the April final, with two acts from the four in the heat to be selected by a panel of five judges to go through.
But a mistake when the judges’ votes were counted led to The Golden Strands and not The Scores being announced as the act joining Damien Paul in the final.
The error was discovered on Monday and when finalists heard what had happened they agreed The Golden Strands should be allowed to compete in April.
"The more the merrier. It will be down to who performs the best on the night," said Jamie Dent, frontman of Vanzatti, one of the two acts chosen from the first heat.
"We’re all musicians and could really sympathise with how The Golden Strands must have been feeling after thinking they had got through and then being told they hadn’t," said Dave Holley, also from Vanzatti.
Click here to watch videos of the heat two acts.
Scores in Live/Wired final after all
LIVE/Wired judges and organisers have apologised after a mistake led to the wrong band being told they had gone through to the final.
Fans packed out the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, on Friday to cheer on The Scores, Damien Paul, The Golden Strands and James Hunt.
A panel of five judges, made up of Isle of Wight Radio’s Glyn Taylor, Jessica Toyne, of music publishers Platinum Sound, Island music stalwart Roger Regular, Platform One’s Jason Payne and Ross Findon, of the IW County Press, had the tough task of choosing two acts to go through to the final.
It was announced on the night that The Golden Strands and Damien Paul would meet Vanzatti and Alex Mountford in that clash.
But an error in how the votes were calculated was discovered on Monday, which showed that The Scores and not The Golden Strands should have gone through.
They will join bluesman Damien Paul, Vanzatti and Alex Mountford at the final at Ryde Theatre on April 2.
Final four a step closer to victory
THE votes have been cast and the top four acts who will compete in the second live heat of Live/Wired chosen.
The Scores, Damien Paul, James Hunt and The Golden Strands have been picked by the public to compete in the next live heat at Ryde’s Wight Rock Bar next Friday, February 26.
More than 3,100 people voted in the latest round of the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio.
The top four acts will now face the judges, including IW Radio presenter Glyn Taylor and the County Press’s Ross Findon.
Ross said: “This was one of the hardest fought online polls in the competition since it started.
“It has been fantastic to see how well supported Island music is and hopefully there will be a good crowd there on Friday to cheer on the acts.”
More than 20 acts competed in the second online poll and the two acts chosen by judges at the live heat will meet Vanzatti and Alex Mountford, winners of round one, in a final later this year.
The overall winners will land a slot on the Acoustic Stage at the IW Festival, a recording session with professional engineers at Platform One and airplay on IW Radio.
Heat two top ten
The top ten acts in heat two on Friday, February 12 are:
1. The Scores
2. James Hunt
3. Jake Stimson
4. Damien Paul
5. The Getaway
6. The Golden Strands
7. Gweido
8. Cheryl Shepard
9. Broken Pistols
10. Revenge of the Lawn
Still time to vote
TIME is running out to vote for your favourite Live/Wired acts.
More than 20 of the Island’s best bands have been fighting for a place in the second live heat, due to be held at the Wight Rock Bar on February 26.
Voting closes on Monday and the top four acts will be announced in next Friday’s, February 19, County Press.
Thousands of people have already voted in the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio.
Up for grabs will be the chance to play at the IW Festival, a recording session at Platform One’s Newport studios and airplay on IW Radio.
To find out who is in the top ten check out the website today (Friday) or listen to Glyn Taylor’s IW Live and Local show on Sunday from 7pm.
Heat two top top
The top ten acts in heat two on Friday, February 5 are:
1. The Scores
2. James Hunt
3. Jake Stimson
4. The Getaway
5. Damien Paul
6. Cheryl Shepard
7. Broken Pistols
8. Gweido
9. The Golden Strands
10. Landscapes to Citylights
Live/Wired record start
THERE was a record-breaking start to voting in the latest round of Live/Wired, with almost 1,500 votes cast in the first three days.
Round two of the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio, kicked off on Friday, last week.
Within hours, hundreds of music fans had visited www.iwcp.co.uk/livewired to hear tracks from more than 20 Island acts fighting it out for a spot in the final.
Voting will continue until Monday, February 15, the top four acts will be announced on Friday, February 19, the acts will go through to a live heat at top Ryde music venue the Wight Rock Bar on Friday, February 26.
Judges will choose two bands to go through to a live final, where they will compete against round one acts Alex Mountford and Vanzatti.
The overall winner will scoop a recording session at Platform One’s studios, airplay on IW Radio and a spot on the bill of the IW Festival, alongside the likes of Jay Z and Pink.
Tune in to Glyn Taylor’s evening shows on IW Radio to hear tracks from Live/Wired acts.
Vote now for your favourite act
22 bands will fight it out in the second heat of Live/Wired.
They will first compete to win the public’s vote, with tracks from each of the acts available to listen to and vote for from Friday, January 29.
Click here to listen to the acts and vote for your favourite.
“This is the third year we have run Live/Wired and the competition has got stronger and stronger. There is an incredible amount of talent on the Island, I can’t wait for heat two to start,” said County Press editor and past Live/Wired judge Alan Marriott. Several acts who had to pull out of round one following a change in the date of the live heat have been allowed to enter round two.
Deadline for entries is today
TIME is almost up for acts to enter the second round of Live/Wired, with the deadline for entries at noon today (Friday).
All ages and a host of genres have been represented in the competition, with an array of original Island talent already having battled it out in round one.
The County Press competition, in association with music college Platform One and the Island’s leading radio station, IW Radio, gives winners the chance to play at the IW Festival, record with a professional engineer at Platform One’s excellent Newport studio and have their track played on IW Radio.
DJ Glyn Taylor, who will be profiling acts and playing tracks from round two entries on his evening show, Sunday to Thursday, said he was not surprised at the high standard of entries.
“There is a very strong scene on the Island,” he said.
From next Friday, January 29, people can hear the round two entries, read profiles of the acts and vote for their favourites at www.iwcp.co.uk/livewired.
Voting closes on February 15, and a live heat featuring the top four acts will be held at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, on February 26.
Click here to find out how to enter.
Deadline is just days away now
ACTS have just days left to be part of the action in this year’s Live/Wired competition.
Organised by the County Press, in association with leading music college Platform One and IW Radio, the deadline for entries into the second round of the competition closes at noon, on Friday, January 22.
Acts will face a public vote through an on-line poll at www.iwcp.co.uk/livewired, which will run from January 29 to February 15.
The top four acts will play live at top Ryde venue The Wight Rock Bar in front of fans and a panel of judges on Friday, February 26.
The judges will have the tough task of choosing two bands to go up against the winners of round one, Alex Mountford and Vanzatti, in a grand final later this year.
After scooping one of the spots in the final, Vanzatti frontman Jamie Dent promised they would put up a fight to win the whole competition and with it the chance to play the IW Festival, a recording session and radio airplay.
Jamie said: “It’s such a fantastic opportunity and if we played the festival we wouldn’t disappoint. We would give it everything we’ve got.”
Click here to find out how to enter.
Submit your entry for heat two
THE second heat of Live/Wired kicked off this week, giving Island bands another chance to win a coveted slot at the IW Festival.
Acts of all ages, styles and abilities have until Friday, January 22 at noon to submit their entries, ahead of an online vote from January 29 to February 15 on iwcp.co.uk/livewired. Click here to find out how to enter and read the terms and conditions of the competition.
The top acts will go through to a live heat, due to be held at Ryde’s Wight Rock Bar on February 26, before April’s grand final at Ryde Theatre.
There, they will battle it out on stage to be named Live/Wired champions, scooping a two-day recording session with a sound engineer at Platform One’s studio, airplay on IW Radio and, of course, the chance to join Jay-Z and The Strokes on the bill at the IW Festival with a slot on the acoustic stage.
Rock band Vanzatti and teenage troubadour Alex Mountford have already made it through the first heat, following a hard-fought clash at the Wight Rock Bar last month. Click here to watch videos of the heat one clash.
For a chance to join them in the final, click here to find out how to enter.
IW Radio has teamed up with the County Press and music college Platform One to make this year’s competition the best yet.
Live/Wired: something for everyone
Review by Hope Jones
THROUGHOUT the voting stages of Live/Wired 2009 there has been clear tension between the bands and this continued on the night of the first heat, hosted by Wight Rock Bar, Ryde.
First up was older favourites Vanzatti, whose experience granted them an immediate audience, and their mix of melodic guitars and singalong choruses kept revellers captivated throughout.
Next up was young singer/songwriter Alex Mountford, who brought an entire entourage with him.
His simple, heartfelt, lyrics meant onlookers were silent throughout, paying the utmost attention to his performance.
It is no wonder he has already built such a strong fanbase and, with songs like his, his future in the music business is looking like it could be a long one.
Finally it was experimental five-piece Cellar Ghost, who have achieved a lot in their relatively short time on the circuit.
They have also played both The Railway in Winchester and The Joiners in Southampton and numerous gigs around the Island.
They brought a considerable number of fans, who were keen to show their support throughout their set and it is no wonder when you see the amount of complex work put into each song.
Vanzatti and Alex Mountford through to final
ROCK four-piece Vanzatti and teenage troubadour Alex Mountford have made it through the first Live/Wired live heat.
Following a close-fought battle with third act Cellar Ghost at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, on Saturday night, they will now go through to next year’s grand final.
• Click here to watch videos of the heat one bands performing at The Wight Rock Bar
Final four for live heat
THE votes have been cast and the Island’s music fans have spoken.
Competition has been fierce in the first round of music talent contest Live/Wired, with more than 3,700 votes cast. The top four acts have been chosen to go through to a live heat on Saturday, December 19.
Fighting it out at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, will be Cellar Ghost, who topped the online poll, with their entry Good Will Hunting, 15-year-old songwriter Alex Mountford, avant-garde favourites Revenge of the Lawn and four-piece Vanzatti, whose signature style blends melodic lyrics with grungy guitars.
The bands are all hoping to be named Live/Wired champions, scooping a two-day recording session with a professional sound engineer at music college Platform One’s studio, guaranteed airplay on IW Radio and, of course, the chance to join Jay-Z and The Strokes on the bill at next year’s IW Festival.
The winning band will earn a slot on the festival’s acoustic stage, which this year hosted performances from Midge Ure, Sex Pistol Glen Matlock and Sharon Corr.
Anyone who missed the deadline for entering the first round of the competition will have another chance when the second round starts next month. Acts will able to submit their entries between January 1 and 22, ahead of online voting, from January 29 to February 15.
Another live clash will be held at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde on February 26, followed by the grand final, at Ryde Theatre, on April 2.
Round one voting has now closed
Voting for round one of this year's Live/Wired has now closed.
The four acts that receive the most votes will be announced this Friday (December 11). They will go through to a live heat on Saturday, December 19, at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde.
The top ten so far...
The top ten on Friday, December 4 at 8.50am.
1. Cellar Ghost
2. Vanzatti
3. Getaway
4. Revenge of the Lawn
5. Reverb
6. Alex Mountford
7. Holly Kirby
8. New Set of Bruises
9. The Attic Boys
10. Nearly New
Voting closes on Monday, December 7.
Just days left to vote in Live/Wired
COMPETITION has been fierce in the first round of the online Live/Wired bands' competition and there are just days left to vote for your favourite.
Voting closes at noon on Monday and the four acts with the most votes will go through to a live heat on Saturday, December 19, at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde.
To find out which acts have made it through, check out next Friday's County Press (December 11).
You can listen to tracks and vote for your favourite band.
So far more than 3,000 people have voted.
Up for grabs is the chance to join Jay-Z on the bill at the IW Festival, a recording session in Platform One's top studio and airplay on IW Radio.
The top ten so far...
The top ten on Friday, November 27 at 8.20am.
1. Getaway
2. Cellar Ghost
3. Vanzatti
4. Alex Mountford
5. Reverb
6. Nearly New
7. Holly Kirby
8. New Set of Bruises
8. Revenge of the Lawn
10. The Train is Late
Voting closes on Monday, December 7.
Bands fight it out for heat
MORE than 1,500 votes have been cast in the first week of voting for Live/Wired.
The first round of the County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio, has seen a host of top acts competing for one of the best prizes on the Island music scene — a chance to play at the IW Festival and time in a professional recording studio.
Competition has been fierce, with several acts already polling more than 100 votes, but only the top four will make it through to the live heat in December.
Live/Wired acts have been enjoying air play on IW Radio this week, thanks to DJ Glyn Taylor, who has featured the competition on his evening and Live and Local shows.
"We started Live and Local three years ago to promote local bands and it has turned into one of the most talked about shows on the station.
"The quality of music is very high. The Island has a massive amount of talent and it just keeps coming and we are very pleased to be part of Live/Wired this year," said Glyn.
Time to vote for favourite
FROM smooth jazz to screamo, the entries are in for round one of Live/Wired and the voting started on Friday, November 20.
The County Press competition, in association with Platform One and IW Radio has attracted entries from more than 20 top Island acts.
They are fighting for the chance to perform at the IW Festival, win a recording session with professional engineer and have their music played on IW Radio.
From today (Friday), fans can hear tracks from all the entries, read profiles and vote for their favourites right here.
Voting is open until noon on Monday, December 7, when the four bands with the most votes will make it through to a live heat.
This year's heats will be held at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, when the four acts will face a panel of judges from the County Press, IW Radio and the music industry.
The winners of round one's heat will go through to a live final in April, when they will face two more acts chosen in a second round early next year.
Round one has attracted entries from some established acts, as well as a host of fresh talent.
Indie/Americana favourites The Kurves will be hoping to go one further, having reached the final in the last two years.
They are joined by Das Kolwerk, who return to the competition with edgy electronica and dark vocals.
Revenge of the Lawn and Holly Kirby are both back after illness forced them to drop out last time around.
New acts include Rebound, Bright as Vegas, Bloody Heroes and Ape Station.
· Acts who missed the deadline to enter the first round will have another chance to enter.
From January 1 to January 22 they will be able to submit their entries for the second round.
They will go forward to a public vote from January 29 until February 16, with the top four acts again going through to the Wight Rock Bar live heat.
Live/Wired heat date changed
THE first live heat for this year's Live/Wired has changed to Saturday, December 19.
It will still take place at the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, and feature the top four acts from the first one voting.
Almost 30 acts are competing for chance to play the gig, where they will face a panel of judges who will choose two acts to go through to next year's Live/Wired final.
Voting opens tomorrow (Friday, 20) and will close on December 7.ntil February 16, with the top four acts again going through to the Wight Rock Bar live heat.
Don't worry if you've missed the deadline
Anyone who missed the deadline for entering the first round of Live/Wired will have the chance to enter when the second round starts in January.
A second window for entries will open on January 1, when acts will have until January 22 to get involved with the Live/Wired action by submitting entries by e-mail or on CD.
The second on-line round of voting will start on January 29 and finish on February 15 ahead of a live clash on February 26 at the Wight Rock Bar where the top four bands chosen by the public will compete for the remaining two slots in the Grand Final - to be held at Ryde Theatre on April 2, 2010.
The four bands chosen by the public at www.iwcp.co.uk/livewired will compete on stage for the chance to go up against the two winners of round one's live heat, due to take place at the Wight Rock Bar on Friday, December 18.
How to enter and rules
1. Tracks must be written and performed by bands/artistes based on the Isle of Wight. Tracks should be a maximum of four minutes' long.
2. No offensive material, as determined by the County Press/Platform One, will be accepted.
3.To be eligible, tracks, plus contact details, must be submitted by the deadlines set by the County Press/Platform One.
4. The finalists for each live heat will be the acts which have received the most votes via the CP website, by the date set by the County Press/Platform One.
5. The winners of the live heat will be determined by a panel of judges chosen by the County Press/Platform One. The panel's decision is final.
6. The top two acts from each live heat will be put forward to a grand live final, where an overall winner will be chosen by a panel of judges chosen by the County Press/Platform One. The panel's decision is final.
7. Entry to the competition is free.
8. One track only may be submitted by each band/artiste and each act may only enter once.
9. Tracks must be submitted on CD or as MP3 by noon on January 22 for round 2. MP3s can be e-mailed to livewired@iwcp2.demon.co.uk
CDs can be sent to Live/Wired, Isle of Wight County Press, Brannon House, 123 Pyle Street, Newport, IW, PO30 1ST.
10. The competition is open to all ages and genres of music.
11. Only one vote per IP address.
12. The editor's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. No relatives of County Press, Platform One or Isle of Wight Radio employees can enter.