NEWS

Our second demo is from Jake Marney – Fly Live… a film dedicated demo which does not receive a buzzer from any of the judges

First up is Caitlin Hyem – Shock Radio …   She gets 4 buzzers, and Calum stays to hear until the end.

Demo factor is about to begin!

 

Demo Factor makes a return road trip to the University of Exeter as part of the National Student Radio Conference April 3-5 2023. The countdown has begun, but will it be Devon or Hell?

Making its second appearance on Exeter campus since 2015. Following on from the huge success lof Newcaslte 2022 with Christian Seyers walking away as the evenings Winning Golden Buzzer the delegates of Student Radio wanted more. We can only oblige and bring the neon Big DF out of storage.

If you enter DemoFactor and are picked out at random as part of the main live show remember the 5 Judges are there to give you contructive comments on your demo. You may even be spotted by them or someone else in the industry around the room. Or you could join the growing Golden Buzzed alumni – you have a one in 5 chance to pick one of them up!

Remember you have to be at SRACon 2023 to take part in the 1-2-1 Demo Factor Clinic and main live show. Find out to get your demo here

Plus more exciting news @DemoFactor on Twitter.  You know you want to, it could change your life, forever!

Demo Factor 2022, Northern Stage, University of Newcastle with Host, Ben Burrell

 

 

19:53 Our fantastic host Ben Burrell is back!! This time right in front of our eyes instead of from his kitchen!

19:50 The countdown is nearly over for the first in person awards for 2 years…are you ready?

After two years of virtual events from the Judges kitchens, the countdown has begun… Demo Factor 2022 LIVE! returns to SRACon on the evening of April 19th 2022. Hosted by Newcastle University alongside its student radio station NSR.

Any SRACon delegates (who are members of the Student Radio Association) can take part in the show if you’ve uploaded your demo.

Have you got your SRACon ticket? Head over to http://sratickets.co.uk/conference to get yours. Then all you have to do is put together your Demo and upload it to this site to get yourself heard by a stage of industry experts (our 6 Judges!). The room will also be filled by important industry influencers who are always looking for new talent. It can really change your presenting life!

WHAT’S NEW for 2022?

Not only are we live in person again but we’re also running a 1-2-1 demo clinic session on the first day of SRACon with some industry guests. You’ll also have to upload it here and be a conference delegate but this is a chance for those that want some quiet feedback on your demo, or maybe reassurance about entering last minute to the main evening show! If you would prefer this, please tick to enter the 1-2-1 feedback session.  You can of course just do both if you’re feeling happy and the best of both worlds!

The daytime 1-2-1 session is for feedback only.

You have to submit your demo for the evening event to be part of the opportunities that may come from that, and to hopefully be picked out and heard in front of the industry and delegates. NOTE: all delegates who enter their demo to the evening event will get some feedback from industry judges.

ARE YOU READY? To keep up to date with all the latest Demo Factor news, find us on twitter @demofactor

• Here we go! We’re excited to hear some demos, are you? We definitely are!
• Our wonderful host! Ben Burrell! 
• Here are our judges for this evening, Chris North, Paul Sylvester, Aled Haydn Jones, Pippa Taylor and Julie Cullen! They’re a beautiful bunch… also loving the on-air signs 😉
• Time to get into some demos!
• And we’re off! The first demo of the evening is… Laura Edmonds from Xpress Radio “It’s brave, especially as a first-year to submit a demo” – Chris North 🤩

• Next we’re going north with Felix Racker from Fresh Air Radio… The judges all really like this one! 👀

• OUR FIRST GOLD! Rosa Serret from Loughborough Student Radio takes Pippa’s Golden buzzer! Saying “I just smiled while I was listening to her”

• Next up we have Jack Wilkins from Surf Radio! 🌊 “Think, what version of me do I want to show”

• Time to take the stage Hebe Lawson from Queens Radio.  The judges loved the showcase of your music knowledge and that you weren’t trying to be anyone else! 💁‍♀️

• Our first sports demo! ⚽🔥 Wes Spearman from Radio Sonar! “Focus less on the stats and focus more on the commentary!”

• Next up we’ve got Daniel Cox from Nerve Radio! The judges weren’t nuts about this demo 😕

• Our NEXT GOLD! Aled’s Golden Buzzer goes to Isabel Ellis from NSR.  Aled was really impressed and said it was like Isabel was just having a chat with us 🤩

• Liam Daly from URY is next. The judges got a little lost in the demo, make sure you keep it simple!

• Meg Hayward takes the stage from Spark Sunderland! it was random and natural… Paul loved it 😍

• Another GOLD! Ella Bricknell from Purple Radio takes Chris’ Golden Buzzer! Chris said it was brilliant!

• Next up we have Oliver Morgan from Forge Radio! With the right producer, the judges think you could be great!   ✨

• Time for a break! 🍹🍿We’ve got Lydia George  talking to #DemoFactor Alumni✨ Kaylee Golding, Alex West, Issy Panayis and Chris Ros

• We’re excited to hear some more demos, this year the standard has been incredible! Whats been your favourite demo so far?

• Time to kicking off the second half of the show With Jack Corbett from WiredFM

• Next up we have Chantelle from Livewire  ✨ Paul said Aled should be ashamed of buzzing Chantelle out! 🤭

• Now from Xpress Radio it’s Angus Mitchell! 🎚️

• Time to visit Manchester with Ellen Macleod from Utter Radio 🎙️One of BBC Radio 1’s Christmas presenters… Aled’s a fan!

• Gabriel Radus from Purple Radio…. and Oooh Gabriel Julie said you should get in touch!  ✨

• It’s another GOLD! This time from Paul Sylvester,  Paul said Emma Linton (NSR) was the demo he was looking for 🤩

• 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Up to Scotland now with Lewis Main from UWS Radio!

• Now to Eleanor Bladon from CamFM in Cambridge. Oooh the judges wanted to hear more from you! 🤩

• It’s time for Rebecca Dobbin Donaghy from Queens Radio’s demo! 🎧 Where else would we hear ‘Congratulations to the nugget’? We loved it! 😍

• Next up we have Chris Steers from OMG Staffs in the Midlands! ✨

• High praise indeed for Katie Fox from XpressionFM 🤩

• Back to the midlands with Carl Hemmingway from RAW1251AM We loved hearing how passionate Carl was about rock music! 😍

• 🌟 GOLD 🌟 Our final Golden Buzzer of the evening! Julie loved your demo Jordan Blyth from Spark Sunderland  Well done Jordan! ✨

• 🌟🎙️ The Judge’s Special Mention Congratulations to Felix Rackers from Fresh Air Radio

• Congratulations to this year’s winners! Rose Serret (Loughborough Student Radio), Isabelle Ellis (NSR), Ella Bricknell (Purple Radio), Emma Linton(NSR) and Jordan Blyth (Spark Sunderland)

Nothing will stop us from doing Demo Factor. Nothing!

So please welcome in a new twist, not five, but SIX Demo Factor Judges to the virtual stage!

Alongside long standing Head Judge, Chris North with returning judges, Paul Sylvester (Absolute Radio), Pandora (Heart), Pippa Taylor (Radio X) and Aled Haydn-Jones (BBC Radio 1) this year we introduce you to Julie Cullen, Managing Editor of BBC 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra.

If you have a demo, and you are a member of the SRA make sure you submit it at demofactor.com by 7pm on Wednesday March 17^th 2021.

We hope to look forward to hearing your demo at Demo Factor during #SRACon 2021.

• 

And that’s a wrap! Thank you to everyone who entered a demo, we hope the feedback has been useful! We can’t wait to see you all, hopefully in person, next year!

22:47 Special well done to Jack Hellier and Mollie Finn! You’ll also be hearing from some of our judges very soon!

22:46 And the winner is… ALEX WEST from URY! You made the judges think and they want to hear from you again! Paul wants to put our winner Alex straight onto Absolute Radio! Congratulations!!

22:43 In a surprise move, Paul wants to hear from URY’s Alex West again! PAUL FINALLY GETS TO PRESS HIS GOLDEN BUZZER FOR ALEX! Congratulations Alex! This is one of the best demos Paul has heard in all his years on Demo Factor. Alex has got a human connection, and a 10 out of 10 from Paul!

22:38 Tom Levins from Shock Radio sneaks in before we end this year’s Demo Factor! Aled needed a little more realism from Tom. Paul wanted to hear the full minute, the demo was grabbing enough for a full minute but needs a little more polishing.

22:34 Eleanor Anderson from Radio Sonar is up next as we approach the end of this year’s Demo Factor. Paul thought Eleanor’s demo is good, but it’s not quite got the grab some other demos have had.

22:31 Back to Leeds Student Radio for Jenna Green. So close to making it to the full minute! Aled thought he heard some edits in this demo. Pippa sees some solid presenting skills in Jenna, but needs more oomph!

22:28 Next to Leicester’s Demon FM for Thomas Fair’s demo! Thomas got a full minute with no buzzers, Paul really enjoyed what he heard. The judges can hear Thomas on LBC!

22:26 Lily-Rose Lenton from FZN Radio next. Pippa and Aled think the demo was lacking pace, it needed more direction. The judges need to be grabbed instantly, make sure your demos start with a bang!

22:24 Just ten demos left! Ed Farrar from RAW 1251AM is up next. A full minute for Ed with no buzzers! Almost Aled and Paul’s golden buzzer, the judges loved Ed’s passion for the music in his first link. Paul loved how the link was paced, radio-ready! Well done Ed!

22:20 Back to Leeds Student Radio, Ben Swift, you’re up! Paul wants Pandora to press her golden buzzer. The judges are very impressed with Ben! Aled enjoyed Ben’s demo but wants to be wowed. Keep going Ben!

22:16 Off to Purple Radio, hello Sophie Banerji! All judges buzzed for this demo, a note from Paul, if you’re doing a demo with multiple presenters, talk to the audience, not the other person.

22:12 We’re onto Tyler Selby now, back to Spark! A late final buzzer from Chris just before the minute. Pippa thought Tyler had a great voice but the demo fell a bit flat as it went on. Pandora’s got Tyler’s energy but the second link lost her. Come back next year Tyler!

22:02 Another individual member, Katie Tyler, you’re up! Another full minute, but two buzzers from Aled and Chris. Chris likes Katie’s voice, reminiscent of a young Lynn Parsons, but maybe not for our judges’ stations. Paul and Pippa thought Katie’s warmth came across.

21:56 From Cardiff to Sunderland, Pascal Maguet is up next! A full minute with no buzzes for Pascal. Paul thought the demo got better as it went on. Aled can hear Radio 1 specialist show in Pascal’s demo, almost a golden buzzer.

21:53 For the third time tonight, we’re back to Xpress Radio, this time with Ryan Beckerleg! An early buzz from Pandora, she loves the energy and the voice, but she’s not here to listen to dinosaur sounds! Aled wants a conversation, not a broadcast. Not the strongest feature, but they like you, Ryan!

21:49 Onto Gwenda Killick from Livewire now. Some quick buzzers for Gwenda’s demo, Chris and Aled think this isn’t the best link Gwenda’s produced. Chris wants to hear from her again next year with a better link.

21:45 Conor Finn is up next, he’s an individual member. Can he keep up the strong start to this half? Aled is not a fan of singing in demos. Conor made Pandora laugh, but she couldn’t stay engaged.

21:39 First up, Jack Hellier from Spark! WE HAVE PIPPA’S GOLDEN BUZZER!! Pippa sees plenty of potential, she thought Jack was speaking directly to her. Paul sees a young Jordan North in Jack, now that’s a compliment! He’s one for the future!

21:31 After a quick break we’re back for the second half! Judges have been impressed so far, let’s hope the demos keep up this very high bar. Good luck everyone!!

21:22 Back to Xpress Radio in Cardiff for Agathe Dijoud. Aled was hooked with the first link but the next link lost him! Pippa loved Agathe’s voice and passion for the environment, promising from Pippa.

21:15 We’re off to Nerve Radio to hear from Mollie Finn now. WE HAVE OUR FIRST GOLDEN BUZZER!! Chris wants to hear more from Mollie. Applause all round from the judges! Chris was engaged, got that Mollie is a natural storyteller, and is radio-ready! One note from Paul, let the punchline breathe before you move on. Amazing, congrats Mollie!

21:09 To Wales now! With Angus Mitchell from Xpress Radio. Chris liked Angus’ early natural vibe but was thrown by the second voice. So nearly a golden buzzer from Pandora, but the second link dropped off, come back next year Alec!

21:03 Next up is Jelena Sofronijevic who is an individual member! A very quick buzz from Aled, and the other judges followed. Aled needed more passion. Pandora and Chris wanted more from you Jelena, not the interviewee!

21:00 Toby James from SARC Radio, you’re up! Paul doesn’t want to hear clichés, this is Demo Factor, not CV Idol!! Aled and Pandora want your demos tailored to the station you want to fit into.

20:54 Exeter calling! James Moses from Xpression FM is up next! Two quick buzzers from Paul and Chris, the judges aren’t messing about! Never start with a jingle! Pandora wants to hear the real James next year.

20:45 Onto Sophie Wales from Surge Radio! For Aled, the bar is so high this year that Sophie just needs a bit more conviction in her speech. Paul really liked Sophie’s passion for the music early in the demo.

20:41 We’re off down to Stag Radio in Surrey for Jenna Pacini. Pandora saw potential but wanted more! Everyone liked Jenna’s voice, but think a little more work is needed.

20:35 Now up to Yorkshire with Alex West from URY. No buzzes from the judges, Paul loved the passion for music and Alex’s ability to discuss mental health. Only five words Paul didn’t like in the whole demo!

20:32 Next up, Callum Reeve and Chloe Williams from Smoke Radio! Paul and Chris need you to start with your best material, that opening 30 seconds is vital!

20:28 And we’re off! First up, Alec Feldman from Leeds Student Radio, a full minute for our first demo! Paul thought the joke went on a little too long but wanted more of Alec’s personality.

20:20 Here are our judges for this evening, Chris North, Paul Sylvester, Aled Haydn Jones, Pippa Taylor, and Pandora.

20:18 Our host, Ben Burell gets us going from his kitchen!

20:17 What an opening! We’re still bringing you all the fireworks you expected from Demo Factor!

20:13 The countdown is complete. Good luck to everyone who entered the first-ever Virtual Demo Factor!

20:00 We’re just getting ready to start, who’s excited? We are!!