-
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
-
You have to be in it to win it! 2019 Winner, Finlay Panting explains all.
I still look back at Demo Factor last year and have to pinch myself at what happened that night. I entered this having never played my demo to anyone in industry, simply looking for feedback on what I could do better yet there I was in a room with some of the best voices in student radio, with judges I’ve idolised growing up, having just won Demo Factor 2019!
It’s embarrassing to admit, but at the point of entering I thought it was just about the buzzers, the judges and the tension of the night, I didn’t even realise there was an overall ‘winner’! Although that’s kind of the point, no matter whether you’re lucky enough to get a golden buzzer, or the dreaded 5 red buzzers on the night, you’ll gain that valuable feedback that you need to hear to push your presenting style forward, additionally you get the opportunity to be inspired by what other students are adding into their demos. From that night, I fortunately got to meet with some incredible people like Aled Haydn Jones (Head of Programmes for BBC Radio 1), Chris North (Agent & Founder of North Media Talent), Paul Sylvester (Content Director for Absolute Radio) and Ben Burrell (2008 Demo Factor winner, now Absolute Radio presenter), but importantly it also gave me so much more confidence and excitement to go back to my own student station and put everything into practice for a future in radio.
This year there’s even less to lose from submitting your demo, as not only can you do it from the comfort of your home, you don’t have to live through that torturous experience of standing in a room of about 200 people as your demo is played out loud over the speakers! It’s even a chance to get creative – with lots of Unis unfortunately now closed, there’s a chance to set up a mini-studio in your own bedroom & take the opportunity to practice different styles.
So if I could simply recommend one thing, find some clips that are authentically you and show off your best qualities on radio, do a bit of cut & paste into 2-3 minutes of audio and send it off to Demo Factor. The worst thing you’ll get back is constructive feedback that you need to hear & you truly never know, you might just win the thing!
Have fun & best of luck!
Finlay Panting
DemoFactor Winner 2019 -
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!).
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?
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?
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?
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…
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…
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.
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?
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!
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!
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!
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
-
Thank you Norwich!!
Thank you for making Demo Factor 2018 fabulous. The quality of this year’s demos was the highest we’ve ever seen!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981621681318973440
Congratulations once again to Tom Hinckley – you are this year’s Demo Factor Winner!!
That feeling when you win @DemoFactor
@shockradio’s @Tom_Hinckley! #SRACon pic.twitter.com/sIGDNroWnL
— Student Radio Association (@SRA) April 4, 2018
Watch out for Tom in the future, he could be popping up on a radio station near you.
-
Relive the best demos of Demo Factor 2018
Tom Hinckley from Shock Radio
This year’s winner was a very popular man and managed to get 2 golden buzzers from Chris & Pandora. Pandora said ‘babe you’ve got a job in radio’. Chris North said he is SO gutted that Pandora hit the golden buzzer before him!
Kerrie Coshan from Fly FM
Kerrie was our first golden buzzer of the night. Despite the rest of the judges buzzing early, Aled from BBC Radio 1 heard something he loved. He even said she could be Charlie Sloth’s co-host.
Kay-lee Golding from Smoke Radio
Paul loved Kaylee’s demo. He said “you are never going to work on my radio station but you are brilliant! I think you are the future of BBC Radio 1”. Aled thinks with a good producer you could pilot with 1Xtra!!
Harry Benjamin from Livewire
Chris North was SO proud of Harry and gave him a gold buzzer! He said he was slick and did the basics amazing. He nailed the SRA Chart.
Stephen from Smoke Radio
Jocelin from BBC Radio 1 loved Stephen and pressed her golden buzzer!! She felt he was so relatable and had a great voice. Let’s work on content and then we could do something amazing. Jordan said he loved him!
Jake from CSR.
Jordan said he was so relatable and put a smile on his face so he golden buzzer-ed him.
Megan from NSR
Pandora thought she was so relatable and thinks if she had her best stuff at the start of her demo, she would have had a golden buzzer!
Adam Wood from Spark Sunderland
He was a popular man amongst the judges. Paul said, “Who doesn’t want to hear about sausage at lunchtime?”. He said he was very close to golden buzzer-ing him (if that’s a word) but just need a little more from Adam.
Relive the whole night with our live blog
-
Demo Factor 2018 – Live Blog
Relive Demo Factor 2018 as it happened with our live blog.
23:30 – That’s all from us here at Demo Factor 2018. Congratulations if you had your demo played but fear not if you didn’t, the judges have said they will listen to all of the demos and give feedback.
Here’s tonight’s winner with some of the team:
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981668699491983363
23:25 – After long deliberation and lots of filling by our host Ben Burrell, the judges have decided who has won Demo Factor 2018… IT’S TOM HINCKLEY FROM SHOCK RADIO!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981660464634621952
23:21 – The judges are now deliberating! Who is your Demo Factor winner 2018?
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981658699952476164
23:16 – The final demo of the night is Jake from CSR. Could he win? Jordan said he’s so relatable and made a smile on his face and he golden buzzer-ed him!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981657284400082944
23:11 – Becky from Xpression FM lasted the full minute because Jordan didn’t buzz. Paul said she needed to be more authentic and get across more personality! “That was boring but you’re not boring”.
23:08 – Jocelin from BBC Radio 1 just golden buzzer-ed Stephen from Smoke Radio!! She felt he was so relatable and had a great voice. Let’s work on content and then we could do something amazing. Jordan said he loved him!!
22:05 – Jocelin thought Leanne’s from DemonFM demo was a bit too specific to Leicester so she felt alienated. However, she did say that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Paul and Chris thought she needed more personality!
23:04 – There are only ten minutes left of demos!!
23:01 – Pandora thought Megan from NSR is so relatable and thinks if she had her best stuff at the start of her demo, she would have had a golden buzzer!
22:55 – Harry Benjamin from Livewire, Chris North is proud of you! Well done for nailing the SRA Chart in return here’s a golden buzzer!!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981652383984967680
22:53 – Finally it’s working! Chris said he wasn’t getting anything from Meg from Xpress Radio’s demo. Jordan said if she has another year in student radio she could be incredible!!
22:51 – Before we start the next demo, head judge Chris North is not happy with how Xpress Radio is uploading their demos. This is the third time one of their demos hasn’t played!!
22:48 – Oh no she didn’t!! (she actually did) Kaylee Golding from Shock Radio just got a golden buzzer from Paul!! Paul said you are never going to work on my radio station but you are brilliant!! I think you are the future of BBC Radio 1. Aled thinks with a good producer you could pilot with 1Xtra!!!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981650662546079744
22:34 – Linda Riin was sooooo close to a golden buzzer from Aled
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981648883410403328
22:12 – Edmund from Spark Sunderland managed to survive the minute. Jordan said he has brilliant energy and his use of different pieces of audio made the listener feel part of the link. Then he dabbed and began unpopular amongst the audience… Rookie error Edmund.
22:07 – Tom Hinckley from Shock Radio is the second GOLDEN BUZZER of the night! He had 2 golden buzzers from Chris & Pandora and THEN A STANDING OVATION from all of the judges!! Pandora said ‘babe you’ve got a job in radio’. Chris North said he is SO gutted that Pandora hit the golden buzzer before him! Jordan North said he’s the best demo of the night by far.
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981640572887863296
22:01 – Jocelin ‘absolutely loves’ Sarah from Boom Radio’s voice and was so gutted that it had to stop at one minute.
21:58 – we’ve had a brief shot break…
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981638389005942784
21:57 – This year’s guest judge is Jordan North!
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981638358156931072
21:56 – The judges are back on stage for the second part of Demo Factor. So far it’s between Gregor and Kerrie.
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981637170237771777
21:37 – Can you believe it? We’re halfway through already. Demo Factor will return in 15 minutes…
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981632429998968834
21:33 – Jocelin listened to the whole minute of Michael from Xpress Radio’s demo but she didn’t like his David Attenborough impression/ she didn’t know who the hell it was supposed to be. Paul was very intrigued… ‘It was like Homeland, I wasn’t enjoying it but I was compelled to listen to it’.
21:30 – Jocelin from BBC Radio 1 is just very confused with Tristan’s demo from Surge. Pandora didn’t put it as nicely as that and described it as boring, but she thinks he has potential. Good try Tristan.
21:24 -WOW OUR FIRST GOLDEN BUZZER!! The rest of the judges buzzed early but Aled from BBC Radio 1 pressed his golden buzzer for Kerrie Coshan from Fly FM! Aled said she could be Charlie Sloth’s co-host.
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981629678933901315
21:19 – Adam Wood from Spark Sunderland is a popular man amongst the judges. Paul “Who doesn’t want to hear about sausage at lunchtime”. He said he was very close to golden buzzer-ing (if that’s a word) but just need alittle more from Adam.
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981628595968921602
21:15 – Megan Hornsby from Shock Radio is up next. Paul thought she was good and had potential but her demo was well… we can’t type the word he said. Megan was very proud of lasting as long as she did.
https://twitter.com/SRA/status/981627614715621376
21:11 – Gregor Davidson from City Radio Glasgow was the first entrant who survived the whole minute! Pandora absolutely loved Greg’s demo and said she wanted to hear more but she didn’t press the golden buzzer.
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981626130758295556
21:09 – Up first we have Solmaz Aslan from URF in the South East. The judge’s response wasn’t great… they didn’t realise she was playing a character so they buzzed early. Aled said now he knows it was a comedy demo, he quite liked it but would slightly tweak it before sending it out to Programme Controllers.
21:05 – The judges have arrived in only the way they could…
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981624823939059712
21:02 – Here comes the host with the most, Ben Burrell
https://twitter.com/DemoFactor/status/981623905411624962
21:00 – We’re about to start…
