Becky Payne, UK's Open Mic Contestant With Waihi Family Connection Makes It To The Grand Final: Audio

Posted by Media Release on 02/12/2011

Becky Payne from Hayes (whose New Zealand partner and staunchest supporter is from Waihi) has made it through to the Grand Final of Open Mic UK. You may remember our earlier music news story about Becky back in September.

After taking part in auditions against thousands of other unsigned musicians across the UK and impressing the judging panel with her vocals, she went on to perform live on stage, battling through both Regional and Area final heats. Becky is now set to perform at the Open Mic UK Grand Final at the IndigO2 in London on 21st January 2012.

Previous winner Birdy still at only 15 years of age is currently a favourite on Radio 1 after signing with Warner Music. She’s enjoyed success with a top twenty album and two hit singles including her version of the Bon Iver classic “Skinny Love.”

A spokesperson for Open Mic UK commented “We are searching for an act that not only has the live ability to impress an audience, industry judges and A&R associates, but an act that has the potential to become a professional recording artist. The O2 is the best place to showcase your talent in front of a massive crowd and celebrity judges. It’s going to be a huge event and an experience of a lifetime for all our finalists!”

There’s over £50,000 in prizes up for grabs this year and the overall winner will be offered a recording contract, with up to £30,000 investment! They’ll also have the opportunity to tour across the UK. The competition is divided into age categories; 16 and Under, 17-22 and 23 and Over; all types of singers, vocal performers, groups and acoustic singer/songwriters are invited to enter Open Mic UK.

Open Mic UK is the biggest music talent competition in the UK for unsigned singers and solo artists. Every year over 9, 000 musicians enter the competition and it’s open to all genres, from rap and hip hop to acoustic and classical, the competition has it all. It’s also the sister company of the huge Live and Unsigned competition which starts again in January www.liveandunsigned.uk.com -

Whatever happens, The Grand Final of the competition will provide acts with the opportunity to impress many guests from record labels, agencies and the entertainment industry including celebrity judges to be confirmed ahead of the final.

Becky will be in New Zealand visiting family at Christmas so we'll try to get her into the studio for a catch up. Good luck Becky!

Becky is on Twitter: @beckyburne

Becky is on YouTube: Bexburne & Lemonrock: http://www.lemonrock.com/beckypayne

For more information go to the website www.openmicuk.co.uk

For press enquiries please contact Ben Price press@liveandunsigned.uk.com or call 01142 321 993