Finalists announced for brand-new 'Accrington Xmas Factor' competition
Ten talented finalists have been revealed for the very first ‘Accrington Xmas Factor’ competition, following an incredible number of entries from across Hyndburn and beyond.
The competition, designed to showcase local musical talent and provide a unique opportunity for performers of all ages, has been backed by Hyndburn Borough Council, iMEP, Earl Transport, Oswaldtwistle Mills, and #AmazingAccrington.
A rigorous judging panel made up of representatives from Hyndburn Borough Council (Cllr Munsif Dad), iMEP (Eddy O’Brien) and Oswaldtwistle Mills (Nick Pitman) selected the top ten after months of impressive submissions - many featuring original music.
The finalists heading to the live performance stage are: Zoltar, The Staags, Matilda Bibby, Summer Stubbs, Lenny Hayes, Luke Garner, Holly Fraser, Fireflies, Caitlyn Holt and Charlii Hardcastle.
These aspiring stars will now take to the main stage on Saturday 30th August, between 12pm and 3pm, as part of the free-to-attend St Paul's Scouts Family Fun Day in the outdoor grounds of Oswaldtwistle Mills. The event runs from 10am – 4:30pm and includes face painting, raffles, a bouncy castle, games, and much more for the whole family.
One lucky winner, chosen on the day, will go on to perform live at the #AmazingAccrington Christmas Light Switch On, taking place on Thursday 27th November, supporting the event's headline celebrity act in front of more than 10,000 people.
The runner-up on the day will get the chance to play a starring role at the Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday 13th December, supporting the headline act.
Murray Dawson, Chair of #AmazingAccrington, said: “We were blown away by the number and quality of entries – it’s clear there’s a huge amount of untapped musical talent in the area. Narrowing it down to just ten finalists was no easy task, but we’re incredibly excited to see them perform live. This is going to be a fantastic community event.”
Nick Pitman, Managing Director at Oswaldtwistle Mills, said: “We’re extremely proud to be hosting the first-ever Accrington Xmas Factor as part of our Scouts Family Fun Day. It’s a brilliant way to bring the community together and support local talent – and we can’t wait to see who takes home the top prize!”
Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Sport, said: “The Accrington Xmas Factor is a fantastic celebration of local talent, creativity, and community spirit. It’s inspiring to see so many people of all ages stepping forward to share their musical gifts, and I’m proud that Hyndburn Borough Council is backing this exciting new initiative.
“Events like this bring people together and showcase the incredible cultural potential we have right here in our borough. I can’t wait to see the finalists perform live – it promises to be a brilliant day for everyone involved.”
Eddy O’Brien, CEO of iMEP, said: “We’re thrilled to be providing full sound support for the event and helping these brilliant artists shine on stage. There’s no shortage of talent in Hyndburn, and this competition gives them a real platform to be heard. I am sure we will be supporting a few of them on the main stage.”
The stage will be provided by Earl Transport, and entry to the event is free, making it the perfect day out for families and music lovers alike.
For more coverage of the event, visit the #AmazingAccrington social media channels or the #AmazingAccrington website: https://www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/