Olly Murs, Rod Stewart, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder are just some of the stars providing inspiration to the Festival Factor finalists, who were announced on Monday.
Budding stars battled it out to make it to the final rounds in front of crowds of shoppers in Basingstoke's Festival Place on Sunday. Twelve musicians competed for eight places in the final, which will be held on Sunday, August 28, from noon until 2pm.
A panel of judges casting their trained eyes and ears over proceedings was made up of Claire Holmes, who runs Clives Music School in Basingstoke, Tanya Schipelbaum, from Basingstoke Academy of Dance, and professional musician Rob Oram. Professional singer Fil Straughan compered the event, belting out the 2009 hit Red by Daniel Merriweather to warm up the crowds.
Each performer took their turn at the mike and at the end the eight to make it to the final were Guy Morgan, 27, Harry McIlroy, 10, Kimberley Leyendeckers, 15, Kirsty Bennett, 23, Zoe Palmer, 18, Kayleigh Burton, 24, Richard Avery, 33, and Maria Christina Ricafort.
Former Butlins entertainer Kirsty, from Bramley, sang the classic Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps by Doris Day, and said winning would give her the platform to form her own touring show. Kirsty, who had 13-month-old daughter Emelia with her, said: “I have been singing since I was very young. Coming this far in the competition means everything to me as it has proven to me people do think I have a great singing voice.
"Winning would be amazing and would be a great help for my career and for my one year old daughter. I have spent my life performing and do not want to do anything else – my dream is to have a great career in the music industry.”
The finalists are competing for a chance of winning and taking home a £50 Festival Place Gift Card, £50 Dawsons Music Giftcard, £50 Newbury Building Society Giftcard and two tickets to the Mayor's Variety Show.
Judge Claire Holmes told the Observer: ”It is wonderful to see so many talented people who have been given the chance to show off their talent. This competition both challenges the singers and musicians and at the same time, provides fantastic entertainment to visitors to Festival Place. It also provides an important platform to further the careers of the competitors. I wish all the finalists the very best of luck in the competition."
