Sky1 HD Commissions New Talent Search

LONDON: Must Be the Music, a new nationwide search for Britain’s best undiscovered musical talent, has been commissioned by Sky1 HD for eight hour-long episodes.

Sky1 and Sky1 HD will launch the series, produced by Princess Productions, this summer. The show is open to solo artists, groups, vocalists or instrumentalists. The contestants can showcase any style as well: rap, beatboxing, gospel, etc. The winner will receive creative support, promotional advice and a cash offering of £100,000, plus top billing at one of Britain’s biggest live-music arenas. The host and judging panel will be made up of famous faces, to be announced.

Duncan Gray, the head of entertainment at Sky1 HD, Sky1, 2 and 3, commented: "Must Be the Music will give the rich stream of untapped, creative music talent in Britain that’s screaming to be heard the chance to succeed on their own terms without signing away their soul to do so. At last here’s a chance for the huge variety of unrepresented new talent to showcase real music and grow as an artist both creatively and financially."

Henrietta Conrad, the executive Producer Princess Productions, added: “We’re calling on anyone with a passion for music and performing to take part in our nationwide auditions this spring—his is a life-changing opportunity for a breadth and range of real talent never before seen on British television. The only rule in Must Be the Music is that you sing or play music—or both. No matter how you make it—it must be the music.”