Demo Factor

#SRACon

It’s a 2020 virtual wrap!

We did what we promised. We were not going to be beaten. Against the odds, with a lot of hard work, some brilliant behind the scenes technology and a brilliant production team we brought you Virtual Demo Factor 2020.

Not live in the New Adelphi Theatre in Salford as part of SRACon, but in the comfort of your home, Demo Factor was in ACTUAL LOCKDOWN but you can’t keep a good thing down. With the support of the SRA but more importantly those who were brave enough to upload their demo, we had a show.  

Absolute Radio’s Ben Burrell (and first winner of this competition all those years ago) returned as Host alongside the 5 Judges, Chris, Aled, Paul, Pandora and this year new addition, Pippa Taylor from Radio X.  The quality of Demos (that were chosen at random) was very strong, but only 3 got the GOLDEN BUZZER treatment. Want to hear them?!  

First to Golden Buzz was Chris North, 9 seconds into Mollie Finn from Nerve Radio‘s Demo. 

Goden Buzzed, Mollie Finn, Nerve Radio

New Judge Pippa jumped in for the second, Golden Buzzing Jack Hellier from Spark.  

Golden Buzzed, Jack Hellier, Spark

Demo Factor traditionally loves a twist and often we don’t know how it’ll happen – and even though the third Demo that was played on the night wasn’t Golden Buzzed, and played for the full minute, at the end of the show Paul requested a ‘Retro-Buzz’, which happened.

Good call as it really impressed the panel and the Judges agreed that the winner of Virtual Demo Factor 2020 was Alex West from URY. Congratulations Alex and he’ll get a show on Absolute Radio as a prize! Not bad for entering eh?

Demo Factor 2020 Winner, Alex West, University Radio York

You can see the Judges chatting to the Finalists on Demo Factor Xtra here!   

After the main show 20 industry professionals Guest Judged another 10 demos chosen at random. The remaining Demos were then divvied up between the main judges for feedback to be sent by email.

We hope you enjoyed the show as much as the team did, but we hope to be getting the BIG GOLD LETTERS out as we can be together at the live show in 2021, because it can change your life, forever…it really can! 

CREDITS

Host

BEN BURRELL

The Judges

ALED HAYDN JONES

CHRIS NORTH  

PANDORA CHRISTIE

PAUL SYLVESTER

PIPPA TAYLOR

Guest Judges

  • ADAM CATTERALL
  • AMY VOCE
  • DAVE CRIBB
  • DICK STONE
  • FIONA HANLON
  • GREG HUGHES
  • INDY SAHOTA
  • JOCELIN STAINER
  • JORDAN NORTH 
  • LUCY WINTER
  • MIKE CASS
  • NEIL SLOAN
  • ROB WATSON
  • SAMMY JAMES
  • SOPHIE K
  • STEPHANIE HIRST
  • STUART MORGAN
  • VICTORIA EASTON-RILEY

Visuals & Graphics: TOBY D’OLIER & JONNY NORTON

Theme Music: BEN ‘JINGLES’ TOWNSEND with thanks to NO SHEET MUSIC

Voice Over: REDD PEPPER

Additional Voice Over: KAM KELLY with thanks to JULIETTE NICHOLS, PINEAPPLE AUDIO PRODUCTIONS

Social Media: SCOTT DUFFIELD & LEWIS ISRAEL

Technical Production: DANIEL WILDMAN

Additional Production: JAMES WALKER

Editor: HANNAH-MAE GRAHAM

Thanks to: NAOMI OIKU, THE STUDENT RADIO ASSOCIATION, AND ALL WHO ENTERED! THANK YOU!

Producer: ROB WATSON

Executive Producer: CHRIS NORTH