Calling all singers across Logan – this is your chance to stake your claim in the south-east Queensland music scene.
The Rise Up Competition is returning to Performance Studios at Loganholme, created by studio-founder and vocal coach Lisa Lockland-Bell to unlock the next generation of performers.
“The competition is an opportunity for young artists from southeast Queensland to not only compete, but be in the running to win a substantial amount of cash that will help get them onto a good career path,” Ms Lockland-Bell said.
Last year was the inaugural competition, with local Ramil Dinapo taking home a $5000 cash prize plus industry training after winning the grand final.
“Last year was the kick-off and it went really, really well,” Ms Lockland-Bell said.
“It was a fantastic show, they really turned up to the table and competed beautifully and really entertained.
“It was an extraordinary talent pool.”
This year, the show will run a little differently.
“We have had double the applications already this year, and we still have nearly a month to go – a lot of the applications won’t come in until closer to the date,” Ms Lockland-Bell said.
“People who know someone – neighbours, brothers, sisters, cousins, – as a good singer who wouldn’t put themselves forward, can nominate their favourite singer [for the competition].
“That has been really advantageous because we have had a new lot of singers coming through with that process.”
Over a series of trials, competitors will perform songs – anything from soul, to rock, to R&B – in an effort to reach the final stage, where only a few will perform in front of a panel of judges and a live audience at Club Noir in Loganholme.
Last year’s judges included Triple M breakfast show host Margaux Parker, television presenter and ‘Mr Hollywood in Oz’ Damien Anthony Avery-Rossi, and president of Logan 101FM Mike Bennett.
The first round of this year’s competition, which will see applicants submit recorded auditions, will be judged by USA-based vocal coach Mindy Pack.
Ms Pack gained popularity in the industry working with high-profile artists like Justin Timberlake, Lil Nas X and Miley Cyrus.
She also judged last year’s auditions, and said there was plenty of talent to choose from.
“I was surprised by how good the submissions were,” Ms Pack said last year.
“There were some really great singers, and it has made me really excited to come to Australia and see it.”
Ms Lockland-Bell said the performers were true contenders, highly-talented, and people we “could see on one of the big shows”.
“Those who won have gone on and are doing really exciting things this year,” she said
Judging criteria is based on a cross-section of performance qualities.
“It is not just whether you have got the most extraordinary voice in the world,” Ms Lockland-Bell said.
“You need top be able to perform, be able to express yourself, and that the song is in alignment with you, the quality of your voice, your musicianship.”
Applications for the Rise Up competition close this Valentine’s Day, 14 February.
The semi-finals will be held on 14 March, and the grand final on 11 April.
To apply, visit performancestudios.com.au.
