Bands named for heats of Testing 123 – 2010!
18 of Croydon’s top up-and-coming musicians and bands are lined up to try and launch their careers in 2010 as Testing 1-2-3 comes back for it’s fifth successful year.
Three nights of heats will take place at the Braithwaite Hall in February, with performances grouped under the headings of singer/songwriter, hip-hop/R’n'B and bands. Two acts will go forward from each night to a final on Friday 19 Feb, and based on the quality of the tracks submitted for shortlisting the judges will have a tough time picking out the best of an excellent bunch.
Acts will play two of their own songs and one cover version. The cover is chosen by the judges and every act will be expected to use their imagination and musical skills to reinterpret it to fit their own style.
Croydon is clearly experiencing a surge in musical talent right now, as two acts from the borough – soul singer Rox and dance producer Joy Orbison – have both been tipped by the music industry as being ones to watch for the year ahead. They are included in the BBC’s auspicious ‘sounds of 2010′ list of potential breakthrough bands – a list that has in past years included Mica, La Roux and Kaiser Chiefs.
Testing is run by Croydon Council with support from a host of local music and arts organisations. It is judged by professionals and artists from the established music industry, and is held in high regard by those who get involved.
Bill Lloyd, keyboard and bass player with Placebo said after last year’s finals: “It’s great to see a local venue championing Croydon talent in such an exciting way. It was a great gig and not forgetting, Joy Division were discovered at a battle of the bands.”
Jim Benner, head of live events at XFM and a regular face on the judging panel commented: “I’m astounded by the emerging music talent coming out of Croydon.”
The winning act will not only receive a package of prizes ranging from personalised t-shirts from Timebomb, cinema tickets, recording time at antenna Studios and a photo shoot from Bowdown Photography, but they will also get to play at the 2010 Croydon summer Festival – to a potential crowd of thousands.
Singer/songwriter February 16th
Visionary Heights
Joe Hood
Megan Davis
Peter Walsh
Hospital Radio
Melodic Janelle
Hip-hop & R’n'B February 17th
Trixta
Soul Glo
[name TBC]
Natural VybeZ
Peter Croucher
Fobiah
Bands February 18th
Oil in Canvas
Strange Blues
Inhaled
Queasy Fish
Soul Reflex
The Unready
Grand final February 19th
Show times
Doors 7.30pm
Show 8.00pm
Tickets
Heats £3
Final £5
Box Office, 1st Floor, Croydon Clocktower, Katharine St, CR9 1ET
Tel 020 8253 1030
www.croydonclocktower.org.uk
