The auditions are done and the five finalists are now gearing up for a music battle to win a kick start into the music industry.
The overall national winner will be announced at a concert in Auckland on Friday May 30 and will take home a music package worth more than $210,000.
Tickets to the final event are free and available by registering at www.mtv.co.nz.
The finalists are:
- Bear Cat from Auckland.
- Cause For Alliance from Auckland.
- Clap Clap Riot from Christchurch.
- Lydia Cole from Auckland.
- Trigger Theory from Tauranga.
Kickstart is an initiative set up by MTV Networks Australia and New Zealand to literally ‘kick start’ the career of a New Zealand artist or band by giving them all the tools necessary to break into the music industry. Now in its second year, MTV Kickstart rewards the winner with a music recording, single distribution deal, video grant, TV and radio airplay, publicity and travel package.
“The high calibre of talent entering the competition made it hard for the judges to select just five finalists,” says MTV Programming Scheduler Katherine Northover. “MTV relishes in giving up-and-coming musicians the opportunity to be exposed to a wider audience and help them take steps towards a promising music career.”
Kickstart attracted more than 200 entries from all over New Zealand, 32 of those entries were last week called to auditions in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. The finalists have been chosen by a panel of music industry judges including MTV Network executives, music industry representatives, and successful musicians and media such as P-Money and Mikey Havoc.
Judge and Blindspott singer Damien Alexander said: “The finalists are awesome . . . to choose just five wasn’t an easy task but I think we’ve got a great mix of genres and we’re all looking forward to seeing them perform live on May 30.”
The judges will choose the overall winner at the final event on May 30.