The Wight Noize initiative has returned and is once again giving young musicians the chance to perform on the biggest stage the Isle of Wight has to offer.
Wight Noize is a mechanism to support young musicians on the Isle of Wight, which requires artists and bands to submit a simple application form with links to audio, video, and online promotion. The idea is to support emerging performers who are actively seeking to take their next steps into the industry, by providing them with the opportunity to perform their original music at a major music festival.
Andy Booth, Music Industry Liaison at Platform One, has said:
“Having been through this process exactly 20 years ago with Wight Noize winners ‘The Nautical Theme’, it is so exciting that this opportunity still exists. There is no buzz like playing the mainstage of a music festival.”
Shortlisted artists and bands will be invited to play a live showcase at Strings Bar & Venue on Saturday 13th May, to a panel of industry guests. One artist/band will be selected to open the festival’s mainstage on Sunday 18th June, with the runner’s up being offered a performance slot on the ‘Platform One Stage’, which is based in the main arena.
David Pontin, Director of Platform One, says:
“We are excited to see the return of the live music showcase for the shortlisted winners this year. All submissions will be viewed by an industry panel who will carefully select acts that are ready to perform at such an iconic festival. This is such a unique opportunity for island bands to get involved with, and we are excited to see what new music the 2023 Wight Noize applications will bring us.”
Platform One has been involved in the festival since its rebirth in 2002. Opportunities for young musicians at the festival have evolved each year thanks to the commitment of John Giddings, who is one of Platform One’s patrons.
John Giddings, Managing Director, Solo (Isle of Wight Festival), has said:
“I am very proud to be a patron of Platform One. I think they do an incredible job of preparing young musicians for the reality of the music industry. I like helping people and my work with Platform One feels the right thing to do – they have integrity, and they are good at what they do.”
These unique opportunities for young musicians on the island confirm the ongoing support from Solo, the festival organisers.
The industry panel will decide on one act that is deserving of playing the main stage on Sunday of the Festival. This is full VIP treatment as well as the opportunity to play on the Platform One Stage during the weekend.
You can find the application form on the Platform One website – www.platformone.org.
So John Giddings thinks that platform one ‘do an incredible job of preparing young musicians for the reality of the music industry’. How do they do this then John? Would it be by exploiting young people and getting them to work/perform for free at your profit making festival, all for the draw of a so called ‘free’ ticket? Shame on you! Pay them a decent wage too!
I would suggest that a chance to perform on the main stage at one of the UKs largest music festivals is something most young musicians would give their eye teeth for, and has a far better chance of getting them noticed than taking part in one of the many “meat market” TV talent shows which truly are exploitative.