Capital FM's One To Watch launches new talent search with Sigma

From a press release to news@media.info
Posted 12 October 2015, 11.55am bst

Scotland’s home of live entertainment, The SSE Hydro has today, Monday 12 October 2015, announced a national new talent search in association with venue partners’ Capital FM and RAYMOND WEIL and charity partner Nordoff Robbins Scotland, to launch ‘Capital FM’s One To Watch’.

Designed to identify and support Scotland’s emerging musical talent, the search will run for 6 weeks, inviting aspiring artists to upload a short clip and biography to Capital FM’s specially created microsite.

Entries will be judged by a panel of industry experts including international multi-platinum selling duo Sigma, Capital FM presenter Garry Spence, Scottish Sun Editor Gordon Smart and Chairman of Nordoff Robbins Scotland, and well-known promoter, Donald MacLeod.

Judging will start on 9 November and three finalists will be announced on 16 November. Each of the finalists will be promoted on-air through the station’s breakfast and drive time shows. This will be followed by a public vote on social media from 16 – 22 November utilising the hashtag #CapitalOneToWatch. The final acts will also perform in the same week at the ROX Thrill Room in the Argyll Arcade as part of a Finalist Showcase.

The winning act will be announced live on Capital FM on 23 November 2015 and will perform at the star-studded SSE Scottish Music Awards, Scotland’s annual event celebrating the country’s musical talent and raising money for Nordoff Robbins Scotland, this year taking place on 28 November 2015.

Other prizes include a custom-designed RAYMOND WEIL watch worth £2,500 and a performance in the brand new Capital FM StarSuite at The SSE Hydro.

Fiona Crichton, Head of Partnerships at The SSE Hydro said: “Playing host to phenomenal global music acts on a regular basis, The SSE Hydro is excited to offer the opportunity for unsigned acts to have a platform to showcase their talent to a wide Scottish audience.”

Garry Spence, Capital FM, said: “Scotland has a huge array of undiscovered talent and this is an incredible opportunity for the next big thing to be uncovered! I’m really excited about the prospect of finding the next Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran, right here on our doorstep!”

Craig Leach, Brand Director of RAYMOND WEIL, said: “RAYMOND WEIL is very proud of its music history that includes longstanding relationships with both The SSE Hydro and Nordoff Robbins and is delighted that these partners have come together with Capital FM to create such an engaging and aspirational music platform that will hopefully find the next big thing from Scotland.

Donald MacLeod, Chairman Nordoff Robbins Scotland said: We can’t wait to see what Capital FM and The SSE Hydro unearth with this new search. Everyone knows that Scotland is renowned for its pioneering music scene and Nordoff Robbins Scotland is no stranger to championing its Rising Stars – whether it’s Nina Nesbitt and The View with our Big Apple Award or Paolo Nutini and Emeli Sande at The Scottish Music Awards – we’re always on the lookout for the next big thing. This is a huge opportunity for someone in Scotland to get noticed and we look forward to welcoming them to the stage at the SSE Scottish Music Awards in November.

For further information on the campaign and full details on how to enter visit the website and follow the hashtag #CapitalOneToWatch.