11:58am Thursday 28th January 2010
By Lorelei Reddin
AFTER a successful inaugural Red Hot Talent last year, Red Funnel is launching the new and improved Red Hot Talent 2010 today – with a chance to appear on the line up at this year’s Bestival.
The Daily Echo-backed competition aims to uncover the south’s hidden talent, from singers to belly dancers and everything in between.
The top performers are then offered the opportunity to be paid to share their talents by entertaining ferry passengers during the summer season.
The winner will also walk away with £1,000 and the opportunity to perform to a festival crowd at this year’s Bestival, with £500 for second place, and £250 for third.
Red Funnel are very excited to welcome Radio One DJ and Bestival curator Rob da Bank as special guest judge for the grand finale in early May.
He told Scene South: “I’m always on the look out for new music and bands to support, and the south coast is a hotbed of unearthed eccentric and otherwise musical gems so I’m well pleased we’re hooking up to find a performer to represent on the Bandstand at Bestival 2010. Bring on the tunes!”
Red Hot Talent has the power to catapult local performers into the spotlight, as Charley Macauley, pictured, a 2009 semifinalist will testify. After being spotted performing in the Red Funnel Terminal, Charley was invited to perform to thousands as support act to Anastacia at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight last August.
Benji, pictured, was the overall winner of last year’s contest.
Entrants are invited to submit a video of their act from now until March 15, when a panel of judges will select their favourites to make it through to the public voting round, which takes place from 19 to 28.
Those receiving the most public votes will be invited to strut their stuff at the live performance heats in mid April, with the final set to take place early May.
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