Centre Stage final to decide pick of bands

Top music industry experts '“ including members of The Cribs and Embrace '“ will choose a young band to play at Leeds and Reading Festival as the Centre Stage competition reaches its finale on July 26 at the 02 Academy in Leeds.

Organised by Boston Spa-based Martin House Hospice Care for Children and Young People to raise funds, Centre Stage is the most prestigious music competition in Yorkshire, giving young bands and solo artists the chance to perform in front of thousands with slots in Leeds and Reading.

Judges including Ross Jarman from The Cribs, Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale from Embrace, Max Kafka from Leeds and Reading Festival, and Sara Garvey from Out of Control Records, will choose one of 11 bands vying for the top prize at the final later this month.

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Mike Heaton, who is also a Martin House ambassador, said: “Centre Stage is an incredible event – it gives young artists the chance to make their mark on the music scene, and for the winners it gives them an amazing platform.

“It also sees them raise money for Martin House, which provides such a vital service to families in this region, and I’m very proud to be on the judging panel.”

Centre Stage invites musicians aged 22 and under to compete to play at Leeds and Reading, while also raising money for Martin House. Since its launch in 2009 it has raised more than £225,000 for the hospice.

Martin House cares for children and young people with life-limiting conditions from West, North and East Yorkshire – and their families. It includes respite stays, emergency care and end of life care, along with bereavement support for families.

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Sarah Smith, Centre Stage organiser at Martin House, said: “We have a strong line-up of bands in this year’s final, so it should be a fantastic evening.

“I’d like to thank all our judges for agreeing to take part, and also Festival Republic for continuing to offer this unique prize to Martin House.”

The finalists include bands from Leeds, Wakefield, York, Halifax and Barnsley, who were chosen in a series of heats in April and have received a mentoring day as part of their preparations for the final.

Doors open for the final at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm. Tickets cost £8 and £6 concessions, available from the O2 Academy Leeds website or on the door.