3rd MOBO UnSung Tour in support of emerging talent
Opportunities for finalists to perform in 6 UK cities in May
Liverpool’s 2014 UnSung winners MiC LOWRY headlining
BBC 1Xtra to add selected talent
29th April 2015
The MOBO Organisation, established in 1996 by Kanya King MBE to promote and support both established and emerging (inter)national talent across the urban music genres and best known for its annual MOBO Awards show, today announces its 3rd ‘MOBO UnSung Tour in association with HTC’ as part of its growing portfolio of activities that offer additional platforms and opportunities to exceptional talent across the creative industries.
This year’s tour offers the 10 finalists of the ‘Class of 2014’ the opportunity to perform at carefully selected venues in Brighton, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London between 11thand 17th May. The 3rd UnSung Tour is presented by London’s music specialists ILUVLIVE and further supported by PRSforMusic Foundation and The Arts Council England.
The tour will be headlined by Liverpool’s MiC LOWRY who also today are being crowned as the actual winners of the MOBO UnSung 2014 talent competition with 19 year old soul singer Tiana Major9 and hip-hop artist YJ taking the runners-up spots.
Mentored by 2012 MOBO UnSung winner, Esco Williams, the R’n’B group from Liverpool made up of band members Ben, Kaine, Akia, Delleile and Michael greatly impressed an industry panel, who compared them to R’n’B royalty Boyz II Men and consequently topped the public voting.
On the 6 UnSung tour nights MiC LOWRY will be joined by a specially selected regional BBC 1Xtra supported act and a choice of the other finalists YJ, Tiana Major9 Blizzard, Eyez, Hayley May, J The Exodus, One 50 and Geovarn. All UnSung finalists are automatically entered into the The MOBO UnSung Artist Development Programme (see Editor’s notes).
The BBC Radio 1Xtra supported acts from each city are championed by DJ Target as part of 1Xtra’s commitment to supporting local home-grown talent.
Tickets from £4 and venue details now available on www.iluvlive.co.uk and www.mobo.com
See below for artist bios, pictures, tour dates and further details.
For more information contact [email protected] or [email protected]
Editor’s Notes:
Entries for MOBO UnSung 2015’s digital talent competition will open in June, allowing emerging artists the chance to earn themselves a place in the MOBO UnSung Class of 2015 by simply entering a video of them performing one of their own compositions. (MOBO UnSung is an initiative in association with HTC One M9 with support from PRS for Music Foundation and The Arts Council England).
The MOBO UnSung Artist Development Programme which is being rolled out in the months to come supplies all 10 finalists with a fantastic opportunity to take their music careers to the next level by providing industry seminars, studio time with top producers, performance opportunities across the country as well as further network opportunities. The UnSung competition and the connected artist development programme are just some of the ways in which the MOBO Organisation facilitates, elevates and celebrates emerging talent. For further information, see www.mobo.com
ILUVLIVE is the name of a live music event that launched in London in June 2004 and has since supported a.o. Jessie J, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Professor Green, Maverick Sabre, Tinie Tempah, Plan B , Katy B and Wretch 32 often years before they were signed. ILUVLIVE is now a National Portfolio Organisation supported by The Arts Council England and has monthly residencies in seven cities across the UK and runs an annual artist development programme. http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/
PRS for Music Foundation is the UK's leading charitable funder of new music across all genres. Since 2000 PRS for Music Foundation has given more than £20 million to over 5,000 new music initiatives by awarding grants and leading partnership programmes that support music sector development. Widely respected as an adventurous and proactive funding body, PRS for Music Foundation supports an exceptional range of new music activity – from composer residencies and commissions to festivals and showcases in the UK and overseas. www.prsformusicfoundation.com
Further details on the pages to follow..
Brighton
Date: 11.05.2015
Line Up: Mic Lowry, Geovarn, Tiana Major9, One 50, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: Komedia (Age restriction 14+, under 16's accompanied by an adult))
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £4 advance, £5 on the door. Ticket link http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
Bristol
Date: 12.05.2015
Line Up: Mic Lowry, Geovarn, Blizzard, J the Exodus, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: The Snug Bar (Age Restriction 18+)
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £4 advance, £5 on the door. Ticket link: http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
Liverpool
Date: 13.05.2015
Line Up: MiC LOWRY, Hayley May, YJ, Tiana Major 9, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: 24 Kitchen Street (Age Restriction 14+, under 16's accompanied by an adult)
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £5 advance, £7 on the door. Ticket link: http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
Manchester
Date: 14.05.2015
Line Up: MiC LOWRY, Hayley May, Blizzard, Eyez, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: The Fallow Café (Age Restriction 14+, under 16's accompanied by an adult))
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £4 advance, £5 on the door. Ticket link: http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
Birmingham
Date: 15.05.2015
Line Up: MiC LOWRY, Eyez, J The Exodus, One 50, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: Alfie Birds (Age Restriction 14+, under 16’s accompanied by an adult)
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £4 advance, £5 on the door. Ticket link: http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
London
Date: 17.05.2015
Line Up: MiC LOWRY, Blizzard, Tiana Major 9, YJ, Radio 1Xtra Act.
Venue: The Stillery (Age Restriction 18+)
Time: 7pm
Tickets: £4 advance, £5 on the door. Ticket link: http://www.iluvlive.co.uk/events/
Act Info
MiC Lowry
Formed in mid-2011, Ben, Kaine, Akia, Delleile and Michael from Liverpool are an R&B and Soul group. These five talented scousers take inspiration from the likes of Boyz II Men and D’Angelo , and are capable of playing several instruments next to singing. MiC Lowry count MOBO Unsung 2012 winner Esco Williams as their mentor and furthermore were the winners of Rock the House under 19’s in 2013.
@WeAreMicLowry
YJ
New school Hip Hop combined with Neo Soul – South London rapper YJ has always been musically inclined from young. Being inspired by personal experiences and rappers such as Drake, J Cole and Kendrick Lamar YJ found a way to express himself in a way he couldn’t before. YJ has a number of live performances under his belt already and is hoping it will be the start of many more.
@TheLifeOfYJ
Tiana Major9
Hailing from Newham, East London, singer/songwriter TianaMajor9 fascinated the panel with her Jazz Hip Hop Hop sound influenced by Soul and Gospel. Often being described as the ‘soul child of Jazmine Sullivan and D’Angelo’ by press and media, TianaMajor9 started singing through the church at the tender age of 7. Since then TianaMajor9 has come a long way as an unsigned artist and at the tender age of 18 she is hoping this is only the beginning.
@TianaMajor9
Geovarn
Previously known as Sonical and originally emerging from the Grime scene, Geovarn has developed a unique style of music mixing smooth R&B melodies coupled with a hard-core Hip Hop flow. This is all showcased in his debut single ‘4AM’ which has recently caused a buzz online from his solid fan base and is frequently compared to the likes of The Weekend and Kendrick Lamar. Geovarn’s music is inspired by old school soul and R&B from the likes of R Kelly and Brandy to the legend Michael Jackson and the four piece Rock band, Civil Twilight.
@Geovarn
Hayley May
Moving from Halifax to London – to make a name for herself in the music industry. This huge step brought Hayley May some awesome achievements for her career: A writing collaboration with non-other than Wretch32 as well as well-known producers e.g. Bodhi, Ben Cullum and Alex Davies. Music legends such as Lauryn Hill and Prince are the artists who have inspired Hayley to pursue a career in music.
@HayleyMayMusic
Blizzard
Rapper Blizzard has fast created a name for himself on the UK’s underground scene. Hailing from Didsbury, Manchester and born into a family that had a passion for music, he started making music when we was only 3 years old playing on a drum set. Aged 12 Blizzard picked up the mic and rapped for the first time and hasn’t stopped since. Both EPs ‘Sooner Than Never’ as well as ‘Testing the Water’ have hit #1 on the Hip Hop iTunes chart and brought him recognition from BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra.
@iamblizzard
J The Exodus
This vocalist and rapper has been on the rise for a while now. J The Ex, from South East London, started his music career at the age of 5 but his biggest achievements so far are performances alongside Chipmunk, Wretch32 and Bashy. Inspirations come from Bob Marley, Nas and Nina Simone which he listened to while studying at the BRIT School of Performing Arts.
@JTheExodus
Basheba
Laurie Nicoll, aka Basheba from North London, presents us a unique combination of Drum & Bass, Blues, R&B and Gospel. Her Bajan roots and her families passion for music have always been a huge inspiration to her ‘A song is nothing without a story’, she says. Basheba uses that exact ability to tell stories through songs whilst previously working with some big names and receiving support from BBC London, BBC Radio 1Xtra and Capital Xtra.
@BashebaOfficial
One 50
One 50 hail from Canning Town, East London. The duo consists of rappers Ayar and Rageouz who wow us with their ‘lyrical prowess, honest song writing and compelling storytelling’ which also lead to them gaining recognition from MTV UK, SB TV and Flavour Magazine. Their inspirations include everyday life and the 90’s Hip Hop era giving them a unique 90's style Hip-Hop sound with a UK twist.
@one50uk
Eyez
Eyez is a London born Grime and Hip Hop artist who is currently based in Derby. Eyez is one of the first MCs that had appeared in all four main clash events: ‘Words Are Weapons’, ‘Who’s The Boss’, ‘Lord of the Mic’ and ‘Don’t Flop’ where he achieved amazing success. Eyez YouTube appearances have generated over 400,000 views. Eyez also played at Grime Unplugged this year and gained support from TC Johnston, Naughty Boy and Jack ‘O’ Connor.
@Eyez_uk