Unsigned acts to shine at Birmingham arena
Unsigned artists across the Midlands are being given the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of thousands at a popular arena in Birmingham.
Tyre company Firestone, whose UK base is in Warwick, are behind the unsigned zone at the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham city centre. The sponsored stage plays host to unsigned artists in the pre-show entertainment arena at selected arena events, exhibiting a wide array of music talent from across the UK to up to 15,800 people.
In 2015, Birmingham based act ‘Rituals’ triumphed in Firestone’s inaugural Battle of the Bands competition, which was open to all unsigned acts across the UK to enter.
Firestone – Battle of the Bands
The band also won personalised equipment and the opportunity to take to the stage again on future dates. Birmingham based band Underground Empire made the 2016 final.
The ‘talent search’ style initiative targeted unsigned act through Firestone’s social networking channels, with hundreds of acts entering, which are then whittled down to a shortlist of four, all of which starred on the Firestone Stage inside the Barclaycard Arena.
The Battle of the Bands competition is set to take place again later this year and local acts are being encouraged to enter.
The idea behind the stage at the arena is for musicians to make a fitting first impression inside the arena before the headliners take to the stage.
Firestone’s brand manager Stuart Attfield said: “We can see huge potential through our many musical associations, not least the Barclaycard Arena, which represents a focal part of our plans for 2017.
“We always strive to activate sponsorships in tangible ways for our customers to benefit from. The Firestone Stage allows us to do that and we look forward to seeing all manner of talented music acts on our stage.”
Firestone stage at Download Festival
Staying close to home, Stuart identified an opportunity with the Barclaycard Arena and has been an official partner of the venue for the past two years, with the relationship set to extend further.
In addition to the company’s involvement with the Barclaycard Arena, Firestone will also host a stage for unsigned and less well known acts at this year’s Download Festival, which takes place at Donnington Park in Leicestershire from June 9-11.
