Glastonbury Emerging Talent Contest
Alongside being totally and utterly over the moon about being selected as one of only forty judges for this prestigious competition, there also comes an immense responsibility. It must be every unsigned artist’s dream to grace the main stage at the daddy of all festivals, and I truly feel awful every time I put a cross against an artist.
The high standard thus far has surprised me, as there are at least ten from the first fifty I have listened to who I would be comfortable introducing to the site. I’m sure Sean will feel the same as he wades through them, some I need to go back and revisit again just to make sure that I have not missed anything. What I do find refreshing is that Glastonbury are positively encouraging all the judges to post on the acts they are enjoying.
Maybe I have waffled on enough but it feels good to be able to share my favourite three from the first fifty with you. There is a hell of a lot of music to listen to yet, plus a whole heap of thought about who we feel best represents both of our musical ethos and that of the festival. To that end I would welcome as much feedback as possible from you, the readers! How amazing would it be if we could actually pick the winner of the whole thing?!?
Danny Mahon – myspace.com/dannymahon
In the 1980′s Billy Bragg led the way as a protest singer, and more up to date, the likes of Chris TT have flown the flag. Well, this young singer/songwriter seems to me more than capable of taking up the baton and becoming a protest singer for the Shameless Generation. His social commentary is perceptive, cutting, and close to the knuckle. His chosen song for the ETC was ‘AK47′, and to be honest I must of played it a good twenty times now.
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The Pins – http://www.myspace.com/thepinsloveyou
I have only heard the one track on Myspace from this London trio, but they are refreshingly genre free, and if this does not get you tapping your toe and singing along I fear for your musical soul! Fronted by Louise Hull, a great singer-songwriter in her own right, they have come a long way since forming in Spring 2010. Indeed, none other than the wonderful Laura Marling picked them to open for her last UK tour.
Lovepark – http://www.myspace.com/puritansuk
Formally known as Puritans, Lovepark from Brighton are a catchy en vogue indie outfit. Given my current dismay with most things indie, that’s no mean feat. They remind me a whole heap of one of my favourite bands, The Grammatics. The similarities in this guy’s vocal delivery and Owen Brindley is almost uncanny. With the likes of Two Door Cinema Club and Everything, Everything enjoying mainstream success, Lovepark could soon be joining them!
Danny Mahon is one of my favourite artists from the past year. The guy is the breath of fresh air/kick up the arse that the music scene needs today so he would be my choice for Glasto. As well as likening him to Glasto king Billy Bragg!!!
Danny Mahon is ace. I’m proud to say that i have AK47 on vinyl.
Danny Mahon ..one word,,,,EXCELLENT
My money is on Danny Mahon here, its been a long time since we had a songwriter anyone could compare to Billy Bragg! Lets get him to Glasto
Danny Mahon,is a fantastic new artist,with a stark honesty in his lyrics and catchy anthemic tunes,
he has a huge following in Manchester and deserves a place at the festival!!
Danny Mahon is a real engaging soloist. His gigs differ from other acoustic artists with a no frills fun and energetic set being a bit of ‘a paaaaaaaarteh’ to quote the shameless comparison.
You can feel and see his passion connects with the crowd at gigs, the music is catchy, believable, humble and humorous, and it is the humour in verse that has the ability to make even the most musically diverse audience all leave feeling entertained.
Danny Mahon is one of the sharpest writers around at the moment and is sadly under rated AK 47 is an angry and heart felt song, get him on AT gLASTO
Got to be Danny Mahon! If youve enjoyed listening to AK47 you would be blown away seeing him live. Brilliant observational lyricist and not half bad at singing and playing guitar too, and if your lucky he may even bring his ukulele.
I’m going to break with the mold and say The Pins are the standouts here. They’re the Andrews Sisters of the 21st Century!
The Pins for me!
i can’t comment for obvious reasons…But these are as I said three of the most interesting artists from the first 50 or so I have listened to.Please bear in mind that I still have well over a hundred more to check out and will be re-checking the first 50 again as well as selecting some of the more interesting ones for you the readers to comment on
Danny Mahon is absolutely brilliant live, really gets the croud going, he should deffinately go play at Glastonbury ! he is a loverly guy aswell. :)
Another vote here for Danny. Saw him at the weekend and he’s even better live than on that recording. Really gets the crowd going.
I am lucky enough to see Danny Mahon live a number of times now and i enjoy every gig. Danny for glasto!
Danny Mahon is quality … Seen him at the Friends of Manchester fest at weekend and the crowd was quality ! be awesome to see another local lad getting to glasto !
danny mahon for sure. such a bright talent. one for the future
I dare you to listen to ‘Twat’, ‘AK47′ or ‘Beat Me Up’ without grinning and chuckling to Danny Mahon’s lyrics, combined with his catchy folk/indie melodies, he’s bloody brill. Hope he gets to do Glasto Emerging Talent
I’ve seen Danny Mahon a few times over the the last couple of years, in various venues. He’s developed & refined his game, more than worthy of a slot at a major festival in my opinion. Cheers.
Danny Mahon definitely deserves the chance to play at Glastonbury! He has a huge following in Manchester & we even went to say him in Liverpool and maybe Southport this weekend if things go to plan!
Danny Mahon, Danny Mahon, DANNY MAHON.
Danny Mahon all the way!
3 good choices, I think that Danny Mahon leads the way from the 2 and offers something unique.
If given the choice I would watch him over the other 2
Never mind the bollocks, Danny Mahon is absolutely class.
Class lyrics, class tracks, and a class bloke.
Definitely need this bloke at Glasto. He might even bring his ukulele.
I think ‘The Pins’ look & sound great. Really refreshing.
Also really like ‘Danny Mahon’ too – there’s no way radio would play his stuff which for me makes him stand out even more. Many artists try to fit into a mould in order to become successful. For that reason it would be great for him to play at Glasto.
Not so keen on the ‘Lovepark’ track – too much of this kind of stuff already being done better by current artists.
Jo
“DANNY MAHON DANNY MAHON DANNY MAHON!!!!”
He absolutely deserves to be on that stage!
What a class act, makes you proud to be from Manchester!
I have the pleasure of Knowing Danny Mahon who is a lyrical genius i have booked Danny many times and infact is playing my own small festival in June which should be a warm up For Glastonbury, When not if Danny eventually plays at Glastonbury The North west of england will close that day as they head to the best festival in the world to see the Genius that is Danny Mahon
DANNY MAHON!!!!
Go Danny Mahon. i love his songs, he reminds me of a mix between like John Cooper Clarke and Donovan. The latter also being from Manchester uk right?? votin Danny Mahon cos my family are from Manchester UK origianally.
I Vote Danny Mahon All the way from the states!
As a representative of Illinois, I’m going with Danny Mahon…
Hi afraid I’m plugging myself here. I am trying to get a slot at this years Glasto through the comp. I’m playing at the Troubadour London on Feb23 as well as many other London shows.
Please see the 2 links to my Utube videos below
Crying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPey1b-nPz0
Shes a little Dreamer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhmaUrd_Z2s
Cheers Steve Morano
Hey Steve! Unfortunately, we have no control over the bands we’re given to evaluate. Glasto took all the entries and split them up between the various blog judges. If you missed the contest deadline, we have no way of entering you. We’ll certainly check out your music for the blog, but sadly as far as Glasto goes our hands are tied.
Hi Sean
Thank you for your reply. Yes I have already entered the glasto comp and met the deadline. So 1 of the 40 judges will be reviewing me. Would be a dream come true to play the acoustic stage I am def good enough and at the top of my game through years and years of touring. Cheers : )
Danny is an absolutely wonderful guy, his music is honest, unpretentious- witty and energetic . it is raw and unapologetic .It’ll punch you in the stomach then a minute later give u butterflies. Four walls is one of my favourite songs ever… .completley beautiful. He deserves to win because he is talented, and most importantly he knows good fucking rock and fucking roll. he isnt just another ‘manchester lad with a guitar’ boring on about his hairdo ad his pointy shoes, he is someone his peers should be taking note of and learning from. He’s giving music back its balls and Manchester, the musical heritage it deserves but hasnt really seen for a while (with the exception of twisted wheel, the tapestry , where’s strutter and of course Advent 3) :)
Hey, Everyone as much as I love all the positive feedback I want to stress here and now that the choices we make regarding the three artists we choose to submit forward to Glastonbury, will be judged entirely on artistic merit and our own views.This is not a contest where you get to vote for your favourite and also I must stress again that these three were just some of my favourites from the first fifty or so I have checked out so far.I will be blogging many more of the better ones we have been asked to judge. Having said that I must thank everyone for your feedback !!!
You have got to experience a Danny Mahon gig!!
Brilliant guitarist and vocalist, with humourous and touching lyrics about life that we can all relate to.
Also, Danny brings along a following of friends who’ll blow the roof off!!!!!!!!!!!!!
danny mahon for smashing glastonbury. no doubt
A representation of Great Britain through his Gritty lyrical poetry yet vocally soothing, that speaks to every man and woman up and down the country.
Danny Mahon, The voice of the people.
Danny Mahon all the way, without a shadow of a doubt!
Danny Mahon for sure. Give me Glasto tickets too.
Danny Mahon is cool and fantastic singer!!I love his songs!