A magnificent seven singers will entertain visitors at the Southport Calling event this Saturday (13th May 2023) – and you could help to decide which one of them will walk away with the £1,000 first prize!
They will be singing at the Bandstand on Lord Street between 2pm and 4pm in the Sing For Southport competition.
The audience will be provided with a link on the day to vote, so make sure you come down to support your favourite.
Sing For Southport is one of three elements in the Southport Calling festival, which is organised by Southport BID to celebrate the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest coming to Liverpool.
It will be preceded by Family Fun between midday and 2pm and will be followed by four local bands performing between 4pm and 8pm.
In Sing For Southport, each singer will sing one song.
The judging panel and the audience will decide on the winner, with the judges announced as: Hayley Murray, Andrew Brown, Jenny Wren and Claire Kelly.
The seven talented local singers competing have been hand-picked after submitting their entries online.
This Saturday afternoon, one will be crowned the overall champion and take home £1,000 – and you could help to choose the winner!
The seven singers are:
Paul Walker (KingFast)
KingFast is a Jamaican born and Belfast raised solo artist and a winner of Merseyrail Sound Station. Some more notable performances include Liverpool International Music Festival, Cannes (during the film festival), Edinburgh Fringe, Nantwich Jazz Festival, Liverpool Sound City and Aintree Racecourse for Ladies Day.
Kyle Shaw
The 19-years-old, originally from Liverpool but now living in Southport, has dreamed of being a musician for as long as he can remember. He started playing piano at the age of 5, guitar a few years later, then bass, then drums and occasionally a bit of sax. He writes and produces a lot of his own stuff and has original music out on all major streaming platforms.
Amelia Byrne
Amelia, 14, has always enjoyed singing and performing not only to entertain people, but also help create a positive, comforting atmosphere. Her family usually asks her to sing at family gatherings which she really enjoys. She often performs solos as well as group harmonies in school concerts and takes part in school productions.
Sam and Mollie
Sam and Mollie have both always had a passion for music. Before moving to Southport, Mollie was in a duo based in the West Midlands and Sam has been playing guitar for over 10 years. Within the last year, Sam and Mollie have started performing and writing music together. Their love for music is one of the reasons that brought them together and they are getting married in August this year!
Sarah McEntee
Sarah began singing when she was 5. Having watched The Sound of Music obsessively, she fell in love with the songs and fortunately for her (and her family) she discovered she could hold a tune. She had a very successful broadcasting career with Heart FM, occasionally singing in bands and as a soloist on the side. She is delighted to be able to bring a slightly more classical twist to her repertoire.
Gabe Amunsden
Gabe has always loved music and after playing drums for seven years has decided to try guitar and then singing, with three qualifications in music and enjoying doing gigs locally.
Rachel Newham
Born in Southport and has lived here pretty much her whole life. She went to Greenbank High School, then trained at LIPA and has done various shows at the Liverpool Everyman, Southport Little Theatre, and with So Talented. Last year Rachel was lucky enough to appear on BBC1’s I Can See Your Voice as ‘Ace’ the tennis player. Her debut single Nobody Loves You Like I Do is due out very soon.
Compassion Acts the official charity partner
Southport BID is delighted to welcome Compassion Acts as official charity partners of Southport Calling.
There will be opportunities to donate and show your support for the fantastic work they do in supporting Ukrainian refugees.
You can also take part in a fun Eurovision Family Trail, also organised by Southport BID.
Eurovision events are taking place at venues including The Atkinson, Southport Market, The Bold Hotel, The Windmill and others, with lots of places where people can watch the Eurovision Final.
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
