After an extensive nationwide search across Britain for unsigned talent who write and perform their own material, Channel 4’s Orange unsignedAct with Sony Ericsson is set to return for its second series in late October.
In addition to featuring bands, the competition has been opened up to include singer-songwriters. The show will go out weekly and run into January 2009 with a total of 12 x 60 minute shows that have been produced by Princess Productions and will premiere on the new 4Music channel in late October. It will also air on Channel 4’s youth and music zone, T4 from 2nd November.
The series will be hosted by Alex Zane with last year’s three original judges Jo Whiley, Alex James and head of A & M Records Simon Gavin all returning. Producers promise “an exciting new addition to the panel” will be announced ahead of broadcast.
Orange unsignedAct with Sony Ericsson will showcase the best untapped artists and bands from the UK’s unsigned music scene. Whether they are rock, indie or hip-hop, all the artists who appear on the show have to prove they have what it takes to be the next best thing as the show will culminate in the winning act receiving a recording contract with Universal Records.
Last year over 1,700 bands entered the competition in the hope of winning a recording contract and taking the first step towards releasing their debut album. This year there have been over 7,000 entries, showing what a vast and untapped wealth of talent there is across the UK.