Published on 5th April 2012.

Centre Stage 2012 launched for local bands and musicians

The eagerly anticipated Centre Stage 2012 is now upon us and is set to bring local, young bands and artists from West Yorkshire into the limelight.

Now into its third year, the competition kicks off between 16-19th April at The Wardrobe in Leeds where over thirty performers, bands and solo musicians will compete for a place at July's final at the O2 Academy.

The winners will receive £1000 worth of musical equipment from John Hornby Skewes and Co. Ltd; a performance music video by Shot by Sodium; and a graphic design consultation with West Yorkshire company Define Creative to work on their branding.

Festival Republic are continuing their dedicated support and will once again welcome the winners to perform at both Leeds and Reading 2012.

Leeds Festival organiser Melvin Benn said, "This will be the third year Leeds Festival has worked with Martin House Hospice on Centre Stage and if the first two years are anything to go by I cannot wait. Genuinely local bands offering genuine talent being given the chance through Centre Stage to come through to play at Leeds and Reading Festivals. I am very pleased to be working as part of it again".

Centre Stage is a fantastic event for showcasing local music and the best up and coming talent in West Yorkshire. Winners of the first two years, Penguin (2010) and The Mexanines (2011), who have benefited tremendously from their involvement, will also take to the stage over the week as special guests.

The event is supported by a professional and dedicated team of volunteer judges, crew and hosts, including Mike Heaton and Mickey Dale (Embrace), Alan Raw (BBC Introducing) and Isaac Heywood (Nightmares on Wax/Rock School UK).

Contenders in 2012 include:

The Gonzo's
Forgot About Leo
The Riatines
Traffic Wire
Edna Sulejmanovic
Euthemia
Seas-Of-Green
British Daylight
You Had Me At Hello
Exit Strategy
Metrognomes
Frequency
The Arcane
Another Life
Roadside Light
Alice At Last
Glassbody
French Soul Party
Distorted Sky
Test Transmission
Rebecca Kendall
Stay The Night
This Legion
Suicidal Republic
The Artists
Seaton
Indecisive Crisis
PaperPlane
Elliott's Incentive
White Comic
The Scandal

Doors at the heats will open at 6pm with the shows starting at 6.50pm. Entry is £4 or £3 for concessions.