The Stobart factor is Back
Posted: Aug 11 15:08
Stobart Factor Semi Final Starts Monday 11th August
The search for a singing sensation continues as the Stobart Factor semi final takes place in Carlisle at The Sands Centre on Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th August. The top prize is massive and is sure to help any singer on their way to stardom all thanks to Stobart Group boss Andrew Tinkler. The winner will be announced at Carlisle Live and will perform alongside Boyzone in front of an audience of thousands and will also win £10,000 to ensure they get off to the right start along with the chance to record in a top London Studio.
This year has seen the biggest ever crowds flock from far and wide to the four regional heats which took place across the north of the UK.
Hopefuls travelled to Manchester, Blackpool, Newcastle and Carlisle to battle it out in front of huge crowds and panels of top judges including Boyzone’s Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch, Nick Godwyn from Simon Cowell’s 19 Entertainment company and the man who discovered Amy Winehouse, new up-and-coming star A.M.A.N.D.A along with Andrew Tinkler, CEO of Stobart Group, and Sanjeeta Bains, Woman Magazine’s Celebrity Editor.
Now the Stobart Factor really gets interesting as the fifteen semi finalists take part in the Boot Camp. Nick Godwyn returns with top vocal coach Lucy Phillips as the special guest judges and each singer will need to be on their best form to impress. After two rounds of singing one unaccompanied song and one with a backing track, the judges will choose eight acts to stay and seven will be sent home.
The final eight contestants will then sing to a backing track and from this performance the judges will pick the final four, along with two in reserve who will go on to perform at Carlisle Live in front of a panel of celebrity judges and a public vote will determine the winner.
Day two will see the remaining six receive vocal coaching and styling from Sarah Sabner from Make Me A Supermodel who styles artists for Universal Records, one of the biggest labels in the world. Throughout the day the finalists will each fine tune their performance in readiness for their once in a lifetime opportunity to perform onstage at Carlisle Live with that amazing first prize at stake.
Andrew Tinkler, CEO of Stobart Group, commented, “This will be an incredibly tense and exciting two days as we find out who will go through to the Stobart Factor Final at Carlisle Live. Every one of the semi finalists is in with a chance of winning and I’ve been so impressed by the high standard of talent we have discovered in the region. I think that is what makes the competition so worth while in my eyes. Many people from all over the United Kingdom have taken part and I wish the remaining few the very best of luck!”
Stobart Factor Semi-Finalists
Manchester heat winners: Alice Barlow (16) Macclesfield, January Woodhead (19) Manchester and Lucy Bradshaw (21) Lymm.
Blackpool heat winners: Kezalina Barber (14) Blackpool, Sarah Knowles (16) Dumfries & Galloway and Kelvin Wood (35), Dumfries.
Newcastle heat winners: Kayleigh Baldasara (15) from Fishburn, Ian James Sweeney (22) from Barnard Castle Co. Durham (runner up in last year’s Stobart Factor), Georgia Overton (15) from Northumberland and Ami Vaziri (19) Northumberland.
Carlisle heat winners: Jim Morley (17) from Cleator Moor (in 2007 he made it through to the Boot Camp in ITV’s X-Factor), Romeo Flores (33) from North Shields, Claire McKenzie (25) from Carlisle, Jimmy Lee Wilson (16) from Carlisle and Lucy Rose (16) Workington.
Carlisle Live 2008 Info
Carlisle Live takes place over Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th on the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Boyzone headline Saturday and McFly Sunday along with The Hoosiers, eScala, A.M.A.N.D.A, Andrew Johnston, Hope, and the finals of the Stobart Factor. There will be fun for all the family over the whole weekend including the Children’s Zone which will feature lots of entertainment, fun and games from Circus Troupes, theatrical performers, musicians and stilt walkers. The show will culminate with a spectacular fireworks finale.
Tickets available: Online via the website www.carlislelive.co.uk, by calling The Box Office on 0871 424 4444 or by visiting The Sands Centre, Carlisle. Ticket Prices: £50 - Weekend, £30 - Day (Saturday or Sunday), £25 - Weekend (6 to 12 year olds), £15 - Day (6 to 12 year olds), Free - 5 years and under.
