After months of searching pubs across the country for the UK’s next breakout music talent, the search is coming down to one final night. The Greene King Untapped music competition is bringing its nine finalists together for a free live music showdown at The George on Borough High Street, Southwark, London, on Friday 11th September, with one emerging as this year’s champion.
The final is the culmination of Greene King pub’s biggest push yet to put grassroots music centre stage, giving emerging artists the chance to perform in front of new audiences and industry names. As part of its Live at Your Local campaign, over 800 Greene King pubs have hosted live music and events throughout the summer, creating stages for up-and-coming acts and bringing live music back to the heart of local communities.
It follows research commissioned by Greene King pubs showing that almost two thirds (62%) of all music listening now happens alone, while people who attend multiple gigs every month discover four times as many new artists as those who never go to live music events. Greene King pubs has also teamed up for the second year with Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola to support the Music Venue Trust. For every eligible Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola purchased, 10p will be donated to the Trust, funding community projects and initiatives that nurture emerging talent across the country.
The nine finalists are:
T-A
An award-winning four-piece post-punk band from Dunfermline, blending alternative rock, electronic influences and pop vocals to create their distinctive genre-bending sound.
Libby Jane Marshall
Halifax-based singer-songwriter, creating heartfelt, personal music inspired by real-life experiences and emotions. She pours her heart and soul into every song she writes, with every lyric inspired by a true story, experience or emotion.
Arjé Rayne
Nigerian-born, London-raised artist blending Afro soul, Afro pop and Afro rap, with music rooted in identity, resilience and fearless self-expression.
Friends with Foxes
Four-piece rock/indie band who won their heat at The Broadwater in Worthing in only their second-ever gig, before winning the Greene King Untapped regional final in Leeds.
LOTA
A South West-based funk, rock and alternative band known for catchy riffs and a high-energy sound, drawing influences from Lenny Kravitz and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Todd Dachtler
A 19-year-old singer-songwriter based in Kingston upon Thames who uses live looping to create a full-band sound, with previous performances on The Voice Kids, American Idol and in the West End.
Kontra
A London-based four-piece alternative rock/metal band blending heavy riffs, melodic vocals and progressive influences, with performances at venues including O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire and O2 Academy Islington.
Paul Marney
Paul Marney is a London-based guitarist and singer-songwriter from the Philippines whose blues-rooted, soulful, and refreshingly raw talent is shaped by legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, John Mayer, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton.
The Daytonas
Five-piece rock ’n’ roll band from the South Coast, blending influences from The Doors, Kings of Leon and Led Zeppelin to create “new music for old souls.”