Channel 4 Launches Search For UK’s Hottest Unsigned Band

This Autumn Channel 4 starts a nationwide search to unearth the best musical raw talent across the UK. In a collaboration with Sony Ericsson and Orange, “mobileAct unsigned” will search for young, cool and credible bands that write and perform their own original music. Representing all music genres from hip hop to rock, bands will need to prove they have what it takes to be the next big thing.

In a unique move mobileAct unsigned will be encompassing T4, 4Music and channel4.com/4music. The series will partner up with the Channel 4 website, which already has over 10,000 unsigned bands registered and has had huge success in uncovering new talent and giving bands the opportunity to open the V Festival and T4 on the Beach. The series will also engage viewers across multiple platforms using a Triple Play Strategy, which includes TV, online and mobile formats.

Produced by Princess Productions, the 60-minute show will go out weekly across 12 weeks from early September until late December. T4 will announce news of how to apply over the coming weeks.

The show will be hosted by an established, yet to be announced music presenter from the Channel 4 fold and the search will be led by a panel of well-known and credible artists and industry experts. The grand prize for mobileAct unsigned winners is a much-coveted major recording contract.

All the initial auditions and the selection process will take place via the web, and unsigned bands will have to submit their own tracks and photos online before the best 50 are invited to filmed auditions. The series will then kick off on Channel 4 with a unique mobileAct unsigned music festival and tour where the chosen musicians will have to perform across the UK to raise support for their act from fans and genuine gig goers.

The bands will receive master classes from their idols and learn all about what it takes to make it as rock stars. They’ll battle it out to win places in the live final, where one band will sign the winning recording contract.

Neil McCallum, Commissioning Editor of T4, Music and Youth, says: “Following on from the recent success of T4 series Chancers and Musicool, we are delighted to be embarking on another credible music series that will continue Channel 4's commitment to supporting and nurturing new music.

“mobileAct unsigned will showcase the untapped talents of the UK's unsigned music scene and give them a very real and rare insight into the record industry. Across the series we aim to highlight the highs and the lows of being in an up and coming band, while being guided by some of the UK's biggest music makers and shakers to help our bands achieve success."

Sebastian Scott, Executive Producer at Princess Productions, says: “This is a talent show for real musical talent: there won’t be a pair of high-waisted trousers or a Technicolor Dreamcoat in sight. We’re looking for Britain’s best new band, whose music people will genuinely want to buy.”