Submit Your Demo

Tag: Ben Burrell

  • Christian Sayers – Winner 2022

    Christian Sayers – Winner 2022

    Christian Sayers, 2022 Winner comes to meet the judges.

    After two years of virtual events from the Judges kitchens, Demo Factor 2022 returned LIVE and in person to SRACon’s first evening at Northern Stage, Newcastle University with host station NSR. It was also a second appearance in Newcastle for Demo Factor after we rolled up in 2014.

    2008 first time Demo Factor winner and now Absolute Radio presenter, Ben Burrell, returned for his fifth time to host the stage and keep the judges in check. That panel was made up of Julie Cullen (BBC 5Live), Pandora (Heart), Aled Haydn-Jones (BBC Radio 1), Paul Sylvester (Absolute Radio) and returning head judge, Chris North (North Media Talent).

    Being back in one space, listening to the demos in front of each other and to hear live and in person feedback was exhilarating for all. Most of the delegates had never seen the show live but they came and uploaded their demos. It’s fair to say the room was a mixture of nerves and anticipation, and that was just from the Judges!

    (L-R) Paul Sylvester, Pandora, Ben Burrell (Host), Chris North, Julie Cullen, Aled Haydn-Jones

    2022 introduced the Demo Factor 1-2-1, a demo clinic to conference. This was the first-time delegates got to play their demo to a guest industry judge earlier that afternoon and get feedback on what they could work on to improve. With a queue down the corridor, it proved so popular that it’s become a regular fixture!

    Five Golden Buzzers were handed out to a fantastic set of students:

    Martha Owen, Scratch Radio (Paul),

    Imogen Brewer, Fly Live (Aled),

    Christian Sayers, Insanity Radio (Pandora),

    Astrid MacQuillin, LSR, Leeds Student Radio (Julie)

    William King, URY, University Radio York (Chris, who controversially retro-buzzed)

    It was Christian Sayers from Insanity Radio (Royal Holloway) who however was chosen by the judges as the best demo of the night and winner of the 2022 Demo Factor.

    Demo Factor Winner 2022, Christian Sayers with Judges & Host

    Hear Christian’s winning demo below:

    Demo Factor 2022 @ NSR, Newcastle University

  • 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?!  

    • The Judges 20202

    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?

    • Alex West, URY gets Gold and becomes our 2020 Winner!
    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 

    • DEMO FACTOR
  • 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! 

  • 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

  • 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!