A Belfast based radio station has launched it's annual search for Northern Ireland best 'undiscovered young talent'.
Citybeat 96.7 / 102.5FM is hoping to build on the success of their 'Young Star Search' by adding on an additional category for 'young adults'.
The competition, now in to its fourth year is backed by easyJet, 'Northern Ireland’s favourite airline' and is aiming to find Northern Ireland's best singing talent aged eight through to twenty-five.
Last year’s event enjoyed a massive response when over half a million people logged onto youtube to watch the performances and eventual winners Anna Guest (8) from Newtownards & Rachel Campbell (16) from Belfast polling the majority of 30,000 listener votes.
Both went on to make a string of public performances aswell as recording their own CD single which received national airplay.
Citybeat's Stuart Robinson who hosts the event is predicting an even bigger response this year with the launch of a new category for 17- 25 year olds and a brand new 'all star' judging panel.
“Every year we run this competition we our overwhelmed by the sheer talent we discover from Northern Ireland and we are always keen to react to the feedback we receive from listeners and contestants. I'm constantly being asked about raising the age limit and with the 'X Factor' snubbing over here for many years – we've decided to extend the limit right up to 25.
This means we will be providing a much needed platform for signers above the age of 17 to showcase themselves on a local level and prove to Simon Cowell that he is seriously missing out!
Ofcourse we will also be running the usual 8-12 category and 13-16 category as normal and can't wait to hear who we'll discover this year”.
Aussie pop babe 'Gabriella Cilmi' has also thrown her weight behind the “Citybeat Young Star Search” after landing a UK Top 10 hit earlier this month with 'On A Mission' following on from last years success of her single 'Sweet About Me'
Speaking at the launch she had some words of encouragement for those trying out for the contest this year “Any route to get a foot in the music business is great – it can sometime be challenging but it the taking part that counts - keep at it and above all enjoy the experience of performing and competing. I can't wait to hear the eventual winners”she added.
The Citybeat Young Star Search with easyJet will be travelling all over the country during the summer months visiting most of Northern Ireland’s shopping centres and this year will feature a new judging line-up including record producer Mickey Modelle plus MTV and Citybeat star John Kearns.
This years winners will receive a selection of great prizes including a massive shopping spree, the opportunity to record their very own CD single with airplay and the chance to jet off with easyJet to a top European destination of their choice.
The Citybeat Young Star Search, will be holding auditions later this month at the Movie House, Yorkgate (Cityside) with successful singers then progressing into their local heat.
Citybeat listeners then get the casting vote to determine which hopeful will represent that area in the contest’s finals which will take place in August at Castle Court Shopping Centre in Belfast.
Citybeat 96.7/102.5FM now want to hear from anyone who thinks they could be the next Robbie Williams or Cheryl Cole. There will be a junior category for those aged 8-12, an intermediate category for 13-16 year olds and the brand new 'young adults' category for the 17-25 year olds.
Anyone interested should hurry to book an audition space as demand is expected to be high. To enter apply online at www.citybeat.co.uk
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