Local 3-piece rockers, Shamona blew away a superb lineup of finalists at the Grand Final of the Michael Causer Foundation’s Out On Stage on Thursday. They walked off with a money-can’t-buy prize including slots at ALL Liverpool’s summer festivals!
“SHAMONA” star at the Grand Final
Of
The Michael Causer Foundation’s annual
‘OUT ON STAGE’ battle of the bands competition
Teenage three piece Shamona blew away a capacity crowd at Constellations last Thursday as they won the judges’ unanimous votes to triumph over 7 other finalists at this year’s Out On Stage competition!
After an exhaustive competition which attracted dozens of entries from across the UK and beyond, just 15 superb unsigned acts were chosen to perform at 3 semi finals held during April which led to the Grand Final on 7th May.
Popular opinion suggests that the standard of acts featuring this year was the best it’s been in the 3 years the Michael Causer Foundation has run this popular event!
Over 220 fans were present to see some outstanding challengers for the crown which Shamona eventually carried off including the wonderful Manchester singer-songwriter Jess Kemp; new kids on the Huyton block, Skylights; Clare Sophia and the more established JC & The 2 Steps.
In an unprecedented, stunning first prize, Shamona walked away with:
- A headline slot at Liverpool Pride on 1st August;
- A headline slot at Liverpool Loves on 8th August;
- A slot at this summer’s Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF)
- A free recording session at the world-famous Parr Street Studios; and
- a live performance for BayTV’s “The Guide” show !
Gary Millar, Chair of the Michael Causer Foundation and former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, said: “As one of the judges and as Chair of this amazing Foundation I have to say not only were the judges blown away by all finalists, Shamona in particular were positively electric and inspired us and everyone in the room to dance and sing along. Shamona were shamazing and are the type of band Michael Causer himself would have loved. They will do us proud at not only Pride, but also the Liverpool International Music Festival and Liverpool Loves.”
Stuart St V Fitzgerald, CEO of the Michael Causer Foundation said: “We have been delighted by the response to this event which does so much each year to raise the profile of the challenges faced by LGBT people across Merseyside. The sheer quality of these young performers delivered 4 outstanding evenings’ entertainment and we will push on to make Out On Stage 2016 even bigger and better.”
The competition has been organised with the support of the Constellations team headed by Becky Pope, LIPA student Joelle Vella, Fierce Management’s Karl Connor & Jen Corrigan and the Michael Causer Foundation. Local media celebrities Jay Hynd and Ellie Phillips compered the semi-finals & Grand Final and local businesses supplied all printing, artwork, media, PR, lighting & PA equipment and catering for the 4 date event.
All funds raised (just over £10,000) went to the Michael Causer Foundation which supports victims of LGBT hate crime and seeks to educate, motivate and accommodate vulnerable young LGBT people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Foundation was launched in memory of gay teenager Michael Causer, aged 18, from Whiston, who was brutally attacked at a house party in 2008 and never recovered from his injuries.
The Michael Causer Foundation would also like to sincerely thank our Final sponsors: Home Carers Ltd, Joe Black Coffee, Fusion21, Purple Tie Promotions and Regenda Homes.
Special thanks are due to Barclays who again offered to match-fund every penny raised through the 2015 staging of this annual competition.
To see more about the event, you can also follow @OutOnStage2015 and @MichaelCauserFn
Notes to editors:
For more information about Out On Stage, to arrange interviews, or to cover the final on the night, please contact our Chief Executive, Stuart Fitzgerald 07974 140023 or email ceo@michaelcauserfoundation.org.uk