Submit Your Demo

Author: Chris North

  • You can’t keep a good thing down!

    You can’t keep a good thing down!

    As promised we’re bringing Demo Factor back for 2020, but this year, virtually! We may be socially distanced but we’re going to bring the show and our BIG GOLD LETTERS to you so you won’t have to walk very far to grab a drink! Sadly we can’t bring you a glitter cannon, smoke machine or an ice sculpture due to logistics.

    Our very own first time winner of Demo Factor, Ben Burrell from Absolute Radio returns as our Virtual Host and will try and keep the five judges in check. As is tradition, those entered, who will be picked out at random, will get the chance to join Ben and the judges virtually to hear their feedback.

    The show will be recorded ‘as live’ on the evening of Friday May 22nd, and will be broadcast on the evening of Monday 25th in all its glory! The team will be in touch with everyone who’s uploaded a demo. Oh, and there may also be a few surprises thrown into the show, as is our way! Remember, you have to be in it to win it, and it could change your life, forever. Seriously!

    Deadline to upload your demo is 2pm Monday May 4th 2020 at demofactor.com

  • Never done a demo before?

    Never done a demo before?

    In the current circumstances DemoFactor will obviously be slightly different this time around. However it doesn’t mean that the feedback you get from a judge won’t be anything other than their honest opinion (maybe good or bad) and it will still be constructive and hopefully as helpful as usual! A demo should be up to 3 minutes long with your best bit at the start. Make the first minute impress us.


    With a lot of you not being at your station at the moment we thought we’d also let you know that we appreciate that editing your demo might be more complicated than usual. Please remember that it’s your content / best links that represent you as a presenter that we’re judging you on so a rough cut or edit won’t count against you – this year!

    You may know most of this but if you’re new to making a demo from home here’s some editing suggestions in case you need them.

    Audacity is the first audio editor you’ll probably stumble upon through Google, and it’s perfectly adequate, runs on Windows or MAC and supports a massive number of file types including MP3 or WAV. You can record straight into the App, or edit existing files. There’s an enormous number of effects you can use, and a multitrack editor for tweaking that running order and ensuring you’ve got the most impactful stuff in the right places (i.e the first 30 seconds to a minute!). 

    https://www.audacityteam.org

    Remember to save your sessions regularly, and put the best stuff at the start, and make sure you name the file too! Once you’re happy with your demo, upload it at demofactor.com. What could be simpler? 

    Good luck!

    Virtual DemoFactor 2020

  • The show must go on, right?

    The show must go on, right?

    With SRACon postponed until 2021, in these rather bonkers but difficult times we at DemoFactor have decided that our show will go on. Somehow!

    It might not be the live first night of conference we were hoping you’d be part of in Salford, but the whole team, along with the SRA Officers felt you should still get the chance to submit a demo, via demofactor.com as usual and get some feedback from at least one judge. (We’re just working out the finer details as the days go by.)

    What I would love you to do is get a demo made, around 3 mins long but don’t stress about that or how slick it is as there are other, more important things to worry about. Make the first minute count to grab the judges’ attention. Upload it to demofactor.com and await the feedback. Just do it. Don’t be worried about it. Celebrate all the great radio you’ve done and the great times you had doing it.

    Each judge, as is usual, will get one ‘Big Gold Buzzer’ for someone they’re impressed with – then all the judges will listen to them again to help chose a winner.  We will publish all those in the buzzer shortlist.

    You have until 2pm on Monday May 4th to upload the demo. You or your station should be a paid up member of the SRA to enter.

    We will announce when you’re to get the feedback in the next few weeks and the judges will be announced in the next few days! Things are changing fast so we will keep you updated on any additional information about this years’ virtual DemoFactor.

    Good luck, and get making that demo.

    Remember, again, you have that first minute to impress – a minute to win it. We look forward to hearing you. Any questions please message us.

    Now wash your hands again.

    Chris North

    Head Judge, Virtual DemoFactor 2020

  • Demo Factor 2019 – Live Blog

    22:30–That’s all from us here at Demo Factor 2019. Congratulations if you had your demo played but fear not if you didn’t, you have plenty more opportunities.

    22:21 – The judges are back… after a lot of deliberation and lots of filling by our host Ben Burrell, the judges have decided who has won Demo Factor 2019… IS FINLAY PANTING FROM FORGE RADIO!

    22:16 – The judges are now deliberating! Who is your Demo Factor winner 2019?

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118262289629630464

    22:13 – Final demo of the night and the final golden buzzer from Chris!
    Dafydd Evans from Demon FM absolutely smashed it! Could he be the next winner of Demo Factor?

    22:10 – Beth Hemmings from Shock Radio – Aled wants to be her friend and she is a warm likeable person, well done Beth you have great potential!

    22:08 – Naomi Gildert from URY! Chris was brutal and said the first link could have been better! Better luck next time Naomi.

    22:06 -We have just one golden buzzer left, but Emma Snow from Fly FM sadly didn’t get it!

    22:04 -With just 10 minutes left of Demo Factor, Jordan Scudder from NSU/Radio is up next! Fiona said it started really well but she didn’t know where it was going… She loved it but got bored! The feedback from judges is getting fierce!

    22:01 – Char Stape from Burn FM got some incredible feedback and has definitely got lots of room to improve for next years Demo Factor.

    21:59 – All the way from Yorkshire is Hannah Sackville-Bryant from URY! Aled said you have the skill just learn your out… and Adele agrees but feels there is something special about her! Watch out as could Hannah a one to watch?

    21:54 – The next demo up is Lauren Moore from Rebel Radio! Paul wanted more pace and energy as it was missing personality but he knows she will come back with even more passion and an incredible demo!

    21:49 – Aled gave Dan Girst from Xpression FM in Cardiff the GOLD BUZZER! He thought he was very fun, creative and sleek! Could we be hearing Dan on BBC Radio 1 in a few years?

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118255724738613248

    21:43 – THE THIRD GOLDEN BUZZER OF THE NIGHT! Congrats, Ollie Brooks from University Radio Bath – he certainly kept Adele gripped as she gave you the golden buzzer! She felt she was listening to the radio in the office – has he got what it takes to win Demo Factor?

    21:41 – Sadly, Aaron Anderson who is an individual SRA member wasn’t here tonight. He got all red buzzers, wow, these judges aren’t holding back now.

    21:39 – The quickest red buzzer of the night so far! Alexander Greensmith from FlyFM – Paul was brutal and so was Fiona… just chop the time checks and don’t be a cliche radio DJ, OUCH!

    21:36 – The first demo of the second half is Harry Van Daalen from Shock Radio in the North West. Chris was the last to buzz, he was gripped but he felt it definitely needed more of a push as he kept drifting out of the demo… Adele loved the use of story but be more real. Well done Harry – the nerves of the interval must have been a killer.

    21:34 – The judges are back on stage for the second part of Demo Factor. So far we’ve only had TWO golden buzzers… which judge will be the next one to buzz?

    21:09 – Can you believe it? We’re halfway through already. Demo Factor will return in 20 minutes with Harry Van Daalen’s demo…

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118250442809589763

    21:03 – ANOTHER GOLD BUZZER!! Congrats to Joe Carden from Wired, in London. Paul absolutely loved it… you really got him hooked and he believed in you as you are passionate and dedicated! What a great way to end the first half…

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118245083990626304

    21:01 – Stephen Bailey from Smoke Radio in London. Aled said he has come so far in the past year, you have grown in to a confident presenter but you just need to push it a little more. Chris wanted just a bit more from the demo, he thought it was too commercial and he wanted to hear of his personality.

    20:56 – He was off to a great start but ended with all red buzzers. Marlon Camacho from Shock Radio in the North West was in with the chance of getting a gold buzzer but played TOO much music meaning we didn’t get to hear you and you are the star of the demo. You have potential so just keep working hard.

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118243294516076544

    20:51 – Another demo from Xpress Radio, up now is Ryan Beckerleg. Paul thought it was brilliant, if you continue like this you could be a Demo Factor winner. But, Fiona had something else to say… even though it was interesting she wasn’t a huge fan. I guess the judges tonight are all looking for something different!

    20:46 – Cecile Howard from Surge didn’t get ANY buzzers and she certainly left us all on the edge of our seats! Fiona just said you’ve got the skill, just be yourself and enjoy it – it’ll feel more natural. Aled got totally lost in the demo he didn’t realise he had listened to the full minute. Well done Cecile!!

    20:43 – The judges have great feedback to brand new presenter Eric Valdimir Berfela from Rebel Radio. Adele, loved his voice but has given great feedback saying craft your links with a start, middle and out! We expect to hear an incredible demo next year.

    20:37 – WOW OUR FIRST GOLDEN BUZZER! Well done Finlay Panting from Forge Radio in Yorkshire. Our very first gold buzzer of the night from Fiona! Here is what she had to say… ‘you really thought about what you put in your demo, it was very strong and you have great potential. I really loved it and would happily go for a coffee with you’!! Could Finlay be a potential winner?

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118238150101491714

    20:34 – Annabel Smith from Stag Radio in the south sadly got all red buzzers… Adele was a little unsure whether she liked the song but gave incredible feedback by saying to spend more time in the studio.

    20:31 – We are getting in to it and up next is Kerrie Coshan from Fly FM in the Midlands! So, Aled didn’t buzz and loved her personality, if you keep it up you will go far. However, Paul had something different to say… make sure you have the punch lines and that it is only yourself in the first minute at least.

    20:28 – Next up is Jacob South-Klein from Xpress Radio in the South West & South Wales. Here is what the judges had to say… Aled says if I was in the office listening to that you are funny & you’ve great personality but it wasn’t the strongest demo I’ve heard.

    20:25 – Up first we have Kiran Evans from Surge in the South. The judge’s response wasn’t the best… Paul said it was like a night out with Chris North… oh dear! New judge for 2019, Adele, said great voice but if she agreed with Paul and Chris.

    20:23 – The judges have arrived in style! Swansea you better be prepared for this!

    https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/1118234665511542789

    20:20 – Here comes the host with the most, Ben Burrell

    20:15 – We’re about to start… Are you ready?

  • Be Demo Factor’s Class of 2019!

    Be Demo Factor’s Class of 2019!

    I can still remember sitting in that room terrified that I was next. I knew my demo faded in on the end of a Sugababes track (that dates it an embarrassing amount) and the moment I heard it ring round the room at Bath Uni I knew I was about to hear myself do my opening link.

    What I didn’t know is that that day would change my life. In that afternoon (it was an afternoon back then, it was much less showbiz in those days…) I would meet the person who would become my agent, I’d meet a future boss and a really good friend who has offered endless advice, all on the judging panel. 

    So while the whole experience has a side order of absolute terror it is actually worth it, the success rate of past winners going into the industry is very high, but not even that, you’re getting feedback from some of the best in the industry tailored specifically to you. And it might not seem it at the time even if the feedback isn’t good but it will help, believe me. Sometimes bad feedback is better than good.

    Working in radio really is one of the best jobs in the world, there’s nothing quite like it. If that’s what you want to do then Demo Factor really can open the right doors for you. So make sure you get to SRACon in Swansea and become the class of 2019, and I look forward meeting you!

    Best of luck! 

  • Demo Factor 2019 is back!

    Demo Factor 2019 is back!

    The countdown has begun. Demo Factor 2019 is returning to SRACon on the evening of April 16th 2019. Hosted by Swansea University alongside its student radio station Xtreme Radio.

    Only SRACon delegates who are members of the Student Radio Association can take part in the show. Got your ticket? It could change your life, FOREVER!

    ARE YOU READY?

    More exciting news to follow! @DemoFactor

  • Should you enter? Of course you should!

    I still remember being sat in that room in Bath, the faint smell of snakebite wafting from the bar and a sticky floor beneath my feet, I prayed they wouldn’t play my demo because at that stage I was sure it was the worst thing ever confined to a CD (yes a CD – it was ages ago).

    Then the closing bars to a Sugerbabes song rang round the room (a current hit at the time – like I said…ages ago) I knew I was about to hear myself doing a link…..What I didn’t know was that single moment would be the basis for my career, I’d meet my agent, we’d talk about my dream to work at Absolute Radio, he’d introduce me to the boss of that station blah blah blah.

    I could go on but it’s about 8 years in all so I’ll stop banging on about myself. Point being I can’t think of another forum where you can gain face to face access with industry leaders who give you direct feedback on what you’re doing. Also you’re literally in a bar with them afterwards so you can have a more friendly informal chat, it’s perfect if you’re thinking radio is the next step after uni.

    Go for it you won’t regret it!

    Ben Burrell, Demo Factor Host 2018

  • Leicester to Norwich – it continues!

    Is it that time of the year again – where has the time gone since we were in the good hands of DemonFM and De Montfort University at DemoFactor 2017?

    Well, it’s been a year! But it was a night to remember. Possibly the most brilliantly OTT production of the by then 9 shows, and even though SRACon has been to Leicester twice in Demo Factor’s history it was the first time it had an outing there (we took a gap year the first time).

    It was a year of change though, with a new line up of judges, Paul Sylvester (Absolute Radio), Pandora (Kiss), Jordan North (Radio 1), Lucy Winter (Radio 1 Specialist) and longstanding ‘Head Judge’, Chris North (North Media Talent) we also welcomed DF’s first winner, Ben Burrell (Absolute Radio) as host, with two days notice due to our good friend and previous Judge and Host Vicki Blight (Radio Wales) being unwell. Oh and we had a surprise appearance of Guest Judge Greg James (you know who he is). We also added a twist. The Golden Buzzer.

    (To speed things up each demo now has ‘a minute to win it’ – which basically means if no judge buzzes it will stop after a minute. If a judge likes it they have one chance to golden buzz to keep it playing. Which is quite a big deal!)

    But the stars of the show were the delegates and those who were brave enough to enter their demo. The night is a bit rubbish if nobody enters.

    The panel was the usual constructive collective (although it rattled some cages) but on the whole, the night was widely seen as a success. Some entrants were spotted by other industry bods in the room and went on to have meetings, pilots., even work!

    Notable talent spots from the panel were Abi Gibson (DemonFM) who Paul said ‘watch our for Abi, she’s going to be famous one day’, Lydia George, (also from DemonFM) was also singled out with the comment ‘the industry is waiting for you, Lydia’

    Proving that not being played on the night isn’t the end of the world, following DF, Jordan North spotted Chris Ros from the Uni of Bedfordshire, who has since had interest from commercial radio.

    The overall winner, however, was unanimously the brilliant Sylvie Carlos from Verve Radio, London Metropolitan University with judges observing her bright future and how excited they all were to hear someone who’s ‘natural, brilliant at capturing a moment and has a true passion for music’. Paul also did say that she was ‘the Yorkshire puddings to his Sunday roast’ but nobody knew what that meant.

    Sylvie said “Being at Demo Factor was kind of intense, but the good intense! I remember being at my table thinking Paul Sylvester was savage with feedback given to someone and then the next thing I know my demo comes up! Winning DemoFactor was banging. It confirmed for me that this was only the beginning of my presenting journey”

    Here’s to Norwich – We can’t wait!

  • 2017 Winner – Sylvie Carlos

    The Judges were unanimous about the 2017 winner. Sylvie from Verve Radio, London Metropolitan University was treated to a confetti cannon as she picked up the winner of Demo Factor at the SRACon in Leicester 2017.

    On winning she said, “Being at DemoFactor was kind of intense, but the good intense! I remember being at my table thinking Paul Sylvester was savage with feedback given to someone and then the next thing I know my demo comes up!

    Winning DemoFactor was banging. It confirmed for me that this was only the beginning of my presenting journey.”

  • Thank you Leicester 2017!

    Thank you Leicester 2017!