30 Aug 2024
The winners of the St Albans unsigned talent music competition say playing at next week’s Pub in the Park is a dream come true.
Music talent agency Headliner offered up-and-coming artists the chance to perform on the main stage in Verulamium Park next weekend, with a fiercely fought contest at St Albans venue The Pioneer Club.
And for the first time, a second stage at the event will host a full programme of 23 other local acts throughout the weekend, showcasing some of the other performers from the St Albans competition.
The Headliner winners were Mike Miller, who will support Tinie Tempah on Friday; Rolo Vango, who will support Scouting For Girls on Saturday’s afternoon session of Saturday; Matt McClafferty, who will support Olly Murs on the Saturday evening; and Elena, who will support Paloma Faith on Sunday.
Matt McClafferty said: “Having the opportunity to play on the main stage at Pub in the Park is a dream come true. I grew up in St Albans and so this feels like a real homecoming gig. I can’t wait to share the stage with Olly Murs, what a pinch me moment! It will be great to have some old friends in the crowd.”
Elena added: “As an independent artist it means so much to have been given this opportunity. Thanks so much to Headliner and Pub in the Park. I’m just so excited that I get to share the stage with incredibly talented musicians. I can’t wait!”
More than 100 local entries were whittled down by a panel of expert judges, including industry heavyweights Nich Sethi, head of SoundOn EMEA, Emily Green, senior international A&R and catalogue manager with Warner Chappell Music UK, Toyin Mustapha, head of music partnerships at TikTok (UKI and SSA), Nim Jani of Catalyst Management (Sam Tompkins); and Rian Zoll-Khan of RNR Management (Wes Nelson).
Headliner’s A&R manager Grace McGuigan said they shortlisted 24 acts for three live heats at The Suet Yard in The Pioneer Club,
“It was great seeing so much new talent come through our venue, and being an aspiring artist myself, I know how daunting it can be to play in front of your peers – but they were all incredible.”
Headliner Group CEO Paul Watson added: “We’d like to thank Pub in the Park for providing this opportunity and all those who entered the challenge. A big congratulations to the winners. We’re all looking forward to seeing them get their chance to shine on the big stage.
“Headliner has always been passionate about championing aspiring talent, and to be able to showcase some of the artists we have worked with over the last weeks and months on our own stage at a festival that we know well and is local to us is an amazing feeling.
“We are also big on education, so we have ensured that some of our crew at the festival will be students; working a stage will not only be a valuable learning experience for them, but it also opens more doors for future work.”
The Headliner Stage will run at the following times:
- 5.40pm to 8.30pm on Friday evening
- 12pm to 2.50pm on Saturday afternoon
- 5.45pm to 8.25pm on Saturday evening
- 1.30pm to 5.20pm on Sunday afternoon
