20.04.2007: Young, Giftend and Green: Final review:YGG

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Boddingtons YGG Unsigned in association with 97.7 Xfm Manchester - Final

Thursday 15 March at Packhorse Music Venue, Stockport Road, Levenshulme, Manchester

The much anticipated final of this years Manchester Irish Festival YGG unsigned had arrived and the queues forming outside the venue from 7pm were a testament to its success. By 8pm, we had to start turning away the crowds of fans who had not purchased a ticket and because of the dry evening we made full use of the cobbled courtyard at the rear of the venue.

Tonight's finalists included the winners of the heats who were: The Diesel Fitters, Astroband, Elivation, The Naughty's, Real Lies and Soundstripe.

With such a huge audience the atmosphere was fantastic with much excitement from both fans and bands, some of which spilled over onto the stage but more of that later on….

With the XFM team squeezing in with their birthday gifts the stage was set for a memorial final.

Diesel Fitters:
First up was one of Liverpool's finest Celtic Rock bands 'The Diesel Fitters' after traveling up from their seven day residency at Cheltenham the very same day any other band who be knackered – but not this band! They were ready to party and put a bench mark down for other bands to follow. What a start to the 2007 Manchester Irish Festival – St Pat's weekend, they mixed up traditional Irish tunes and added a slice of Celtic Rock to get the venue jumping.

A great start to the evening and well deserved second place with a cash prize of £150 plus two days in cutting rooms acoustic studio. You will definitely hear more about this band with Sony already sniffing round and a support slot with 'The Sawdoctors'.

Astroband:
For the final the band brought in their very own brass section and the quality of their act just went up another gear. Rather than just being another Indie band, this band offer people something a little different in their funky take on the music scene. They give the audience an uplift and an urge to dance, very listenable and cross over boundaries drawing people into their music. Another great start and set unlucky not to receive one of the placings but the final was packed with quality.

Elivation:
With a massive fan base and a new base player this Rochdale band are set to go places, their full on stadium rock set power by one of the strongest vocalists I have heard was music to my ears. Its full on or nothing with these lads and tonight was full on, they had my vote for one of the top three spots but some of the judges felt otherwise. If they can try out different directions in their musical styles to add to their tightly nit power guitar anthems it will only improve their chances of securing a deal.

The Naughty's:
Probably one of Manchester's most talked about bands of the moment with full pages dedicated to them in the regional papers and a number of record companies sniffing at their heals. They are the new warriors of Ska – chester and its not wonder the lead singer was sporting a Two tone T-shirt. I think they should go the whole hog though and get booted and suited in the suits with the hats as well!!! Only kidding but the hats would be cool though. The lead singer is an audible version of Pete Doherty but without the major drugs problems. He never stands still and is either dancing to one of the bands songs or belting out one of their numbers from the bottom of his soul. Well deserved winners of this years first place. £250 in cash plus two days in the main studios at Cutting room studios, plus a day at XFM with an exclusive recording in the same studio used by Oasis, plus day with Rock photographer Dave Brunton of Xsync.

Real Lies:
Missing their normal DVD backdrop which I always think adds to their performance plus an over enthusiastic fan base who spilt their beer all over the monitors – the band found it hard to get into top gear. Their lead guitarist recovered well though and climbed on top of his bass amp I true Rock n Roll style to belt out their last numbers. Heavily influenced by the Rolling Stones, the band need to try out other ideas, to move their development a few steps forward. Another great set and a Packhorse favourite.

Soundstripe:
Finishing a night off with so much talent was a little bit daunting for this young band and the nerves were showing in their first couple of numbers. But they soon settled into their stride and delivered a set of new and very cool tunes, they have the looks and the tunes of the moment. The judges liked their style and delivery and gave them a well deserved runners up.


Dj James H kept the crowd entertained throughout and had the dance floor rocking until the early hours and the votes were all counted and the results announced.


Many thanks to all the judges, to the fans who got in and apologies to those who we had to turn away and finally a big thank you to all the bands in the heats and final.


We are now excepting heats for 2008 add yourself to www.myspace.com/yggunsigned

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