Category: News

There’s some very sad news to share. Our host, Vicki Blight is missing her first Demo Factor since the very beginning. Vicki was on the original panel in at University of Bath in 2009.

https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/854375205950676992

However we’re excited to tell you that Absolute Radio’s Ben Burrell has very kindly stepped in.

Ben currently presents on Absolute Radio and Absolute 90’s across the UK.

Ben’s love for radio started when he joined university getting involved with student and then community radio in Portsmouth.

In his last year at uni he won the first ever Demo Factor competition leading him to present across the then Galaxy network.

After graduating he worked at his local station presenting Drive time, before quickly moving to The Breeze presenting evenings across 16 stations.

Ben went on to present for Free Radio in the Midlands where he was the Drive-time presenter on Birmingham’s Free Radio and Nottingham’s Gem 106 weekend evenings.

As you heard on Thursday night at the Student Radio Awards, Demo Factor is coming back to the National Student Radio Conference in 2017.

WITH A TWIST! 

Make sure you are subscribed to the Student Radio Newsletter to find out more information and be among the first to know when we start accepting submissions!

We’ve all had a week or so back from the amazing #SRACon in Cardiff. Had a good shower – and probably a bit of a detox!

Thank you for making Demo Factor fabulous again this year!

Congratulations once again to Matt Curtis – who we notice has already changed his Twitter Bio, and living the dream taking rainbow photos from Capital East Midlands.

https://twitter.com/_MattCurtis/status/717765388092719104

Finally, the SRA have produced some cracking podcasts about Demo Factor. Take a few minutes out of your Uni work and listen to these…

Well just as we thought things couldn’t hot any further, THEY DID!

In a chaotic finale, Demo Factor judge Paul Sylvester (Content Director at Absolute Radio) crowned Fly FM’s Matt Curtis as winner of Demo Factor 2016 and a show on Absolute Radio 90s!

Described as “radio-ready,” Matt will be joining up with Paul Sylvester at Absolute Radio 90s to present a one-off show. Past winners, George Godfrey and Sammy James, who also won a show on the station, have since gone on to present on the station long term.

 

But that was far from the end, it was revealed from the stage that industry bosses in the room were so impressed by the quality of demos that they were prepared to directly offer opportunities to a select group of presenters.

It was announced from the stage that Spark FM’s Christopher Boyle, who impressed early on in the first half, has been offered a pilot on Communicorp’s Capital FM stations, whilst North Media Talent’s Chris North publicly declared his interest in Insanity Radio’s Charlotte Mason, Livewire1350’s Sian Cooper, LSR’s Mo Ayoub and, this year’s Demo Factor 2016 winner Matt Curtis. Amy Voce also made a point of adding that she was incredibly impressed with Charlotte Mason, Rare FM’s Ella Atcheson and Fly FM’s Kristien Armstrong, and wanted to chat with them after.

However, despite not winning the competition, it was Mo Ayoub who stole the limelight on the night…

Having had his demo played out in full, he received a standing ovation from the crowd and was greeted by a full house of praise from the judges, and industry bosses alike. Such was the impression made, Mo immediately was approached by Bauer’s Mike Cass after listening to his demo, and a fight emerged between Bauer and Global as Rob Watson declared he had first dibs. Paul Sylvester then proceeded to laud even more praise, encouraging him to talk with Andy Roberts (Group Programme Director at Kiss).

 

You can hear the demos of all of the above in full below:

Mo Ayoub (@centricitydj): [insert-demo id=”932″]

Matt Curtis (@_MattCurtis): [insert-demo id=”960″]

Christopher Boyle (@chris_boyle_dj): [insert-demo id=”988″]

Charlotte Mason (@Masonmcmasemase): [insert-demo id=”982″]

Ella Atcheson (@yes_atcheson): [insert-demo id=”997″]

Kristien Armstrong (@K_G_Armstrong): [insert-demo id=”979″]

Sian Cooper (@CooperSian): [insert-demo id=”956″]

 

More to follow…

It’s half-time at Demo Factor 2016, and what a first half!

Kicked off in style with the introduction of Demo Factor’s Ice Luge taking centre stage, the judges took no time to pack in the punches as presenters were told by Paul Sylvester: “You’ll have great careers – as listeners!”

As the crowd got rowdy, Livewire1350’s Freddie Wells was singled out by host Vicki Blight to critique a fellow presenter’s demo, whilst James Wilkinson was told by DF judge, Amy Voce, that he was a natural at the luge.

Pantomime aside, the judges took some convincing, but eventually talent was spotted with Capital Xtra’s Rob Watson asking to hear more of Spark FM’s Chris Anthony Boyle who was commended by others across the panel and the audience.

You can hear Chris’ demo again here: [insert-demo id=”988″]

But it was Rare FM’s Ella Atcheson who stole headlines just before the interval, as Rob Watson described her voice as “warm, engaging and cosy,” Amy explained that she only buzzed because she felt threated for her job, and DF’s very own Simon Cowell, Paul Sylvester, even crumbled admitting “I want to be your friend!”

You can hear Ella’s demo here: [insert-demo id=”997″]

As the interval draws to a close, and the drinks flow plentifully, how will the second half fair in comparison?

Follow us on twitter: @DemoFactor for live updates.

The tension is building…

The BIG GOLD LETTERS are warming up…

And the judges are seeming surprisingly positive ahead of tonight (if this photo is anything to go by…

Demo Factor will soon be kicking off here in Cardiff, and we will be keeping you up to date with all the gossip, stand out demos, and pantomime moments right through to the end of the night.

There’s an Absolute 90s show up for grabs… who will claim it?

There’s only one way to find out…

 

Demo Factor begins tonight at 20:30, at #SRACON16 held at Cardiff University Student Union.

Yesterday we shared with you Sammy James’ top three reasons to enter Demo Factor this year.

Today we check in with winner of the 2014 competition, George Godfrey and get his three reasons.

[insert-demo id=”420″]

Hello DF Class of 2016,

I had 5 minutes between polishing off a bag of mini eggs and prep for my Radio Wales shows this weekend, to jot down a few things to remember if you’re attending this year’s Demo Factor at #SRACon in Cardiff.

Number 1… if presenting is something you would love to do as an actual job after Uni, then you must enter Demo Factor! If played out on the night, you are going to be heard by the industry movers and shakers on the stage and also the others huddled at the back of the room. Their advice, good or bad, will be priceless!

Number 2… if you or your student radio station intends to enter the SRA awards later this year…then you must enter Demo Factor!! It’ll give you a head start on what to include on potential audio entries.

Number 3… if anyone in your group is on the fence about uploading a demo, push them off! It’s so much more fun on the night if someone you know gets picked out to be played. They’re representing your station, they are ambassadors! They must enter Demo Factor!!!

Number 4… do you like a laugh? Hope so! We do! So, we’ll be making sure everyone on the night has a good time. I have a few tricks up my sleeve…there will be the odd surprise…wink, wink, emoji, emoji! Ahhh you got to be in it to ‘win’ it…so you must enter Demo Factor!!!!

Finally Number 5… I couldn’t think of 5 better people to lose 3 minutes of your dignity with… I know I have… Chris North (Student radio royalty and finds people jobs) Paul Sylvester (A lovely chap who has Bauer Power! He runs stations and empires, whilst wearing an amazing scarf!) Amy Voce (Gorgeous gal, award winner, makes Breakfast shows look easy – she’s that good!) Rob Watson (He knows great radio…making shows extraordinary since the year dot!) and Jordan North (The nicest northern monkey-chops you will ever have the pleasure of meeting, he’s got skills!) That’s why YOU MUST ENTER DEMO FACTOR!!!!!

Now away with you…go grab some of your finest on-air moments and make it rain!!!

You’ve got until 3pm on Wednesday 30th March to upload at https://www.demofactor.com/

Don’t leave it until Wednesday though, they’ll be loads of fab stuff happening throughout the day, you won’t want to miss it hunched over your laptop!

I’ve been Vicki Blight…and this has been an Easter chocolate fuelled production.
See you Wednesday night!

@SRA 1week left. Don’t even think twice, upload that demo! Last year @MrSammyJames did, now @AbsoluteRadio90 https://t.co/qTYcarX4Os #SRACon

— Demo Factor (@DemoFactor) March 23, 2016

PS On Thursday…we’ll all look like ‘Phil & Holly’ the morning after the NTAs…please forgive us!

Congratulations to Leeds Student Radio’s Sammy James who has just won himself a show on Absolute Radio 90s.

Sammy impressed the judges but it was a close fought race to who won in the end!

You can hear Sammy’s demo below, and for more Demo Factor tips and advice make sure you catch “Demo Factor EXTRA” tomorrow morning at 11.45am