News February 29, 2016

ANZ Blue Stage Series to showcase emerging acts at Spectrum Now

PRESS RELEASE:

As part of the Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now Festival this March, Presenting Partner ANZ will launch its emerging talent program, the Blue Stage Series to celebrate and showcase NSW’s next wave of emerging musicians.

From Thursday March 3, pop up live music sites will come to life, where 24 of the state’s most outstanding unsigned artists will have the opportunity to perform in front of a panel of judges.

ANZ Managing Director, Retail Distribution Australia Catriona Noble said the bank was proud to be supporting the Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum Now Festival in 2016.

“We’re really excited to be involved with this festival for the second year as part of our ongoing commitment to the Australian arts sector and the broader community,” she said.

“The ANZ Blue Stage Series is particularly close to our hearts as it provides a new platform for NSW’s emerging musicians to be seen and heard.”

Hailing from all over NSW and representing a wide range of genres, the diversity of this year’s participants is testament to the vibrancy of the state’s emerging music scene. While acts including James Englund and I Am Apollo represent part of the Sydney contingent, others, like Wagga Wagga indie act, Jarryn Phegan and Newcastle indie poppers, Nova and the Experience, prove there’s no shortage of talent right across NSW.

Encompassing genres like jazz and rock to hip-hop and even discopunk, many acts are already being recognized for their work. These include 2016 Golden Guitar award winner Christie Lamb, and recent Splendor in the Grass performer, Adam Harpaz, a multi-instrumentalist from Bondi.

“I’m stoked to be performing on the first day of the program in Martin Place and to also experience some great performances from my peers,” said Harpaz. “The ANZ Blue Stage Series is a great initiative for musicians like myself who like to get involved in wider community activities and be heard by new audiences”.

The acts will compete for a grand prize of $15,000, a mentorship with a key industry indentity, an opportunity to and perform on the stage at the Spectrum Now Festival @ the Domain on Sunday 13 March.

The Blue Stage Series is part of ANZ’s ongoing commitment to support emerging talent across Australia. Backed by industry credentials, the judging panel is comprised of Bernard Zuel, Senior Music Writer and Chief Critic for Fairfax Media, Jennie Sager, Global Chair of Music, Manager of Music and Entertainment for @TwitterAU and Catriona Noble from ANZ.

The acts in this year’s Blue Stage Series are Borneo, Lissa Diener, Dog the Duke, James Englund, Rachel Fahim, Ainsley Farrell, Ella Freestone, Ginger and Drum, Adam Harpaz, Martin Hulbert, I Am Apollo, The Khanz, Christie Lamb, Jaime Lindsay, Mabel, Nova and the Experience, Jarryn Pheagan, Aime Pitcher, Planet, Lane Sinclair (Say My Name Band), Sabrina Soares, Tenderfoot, Ed Wells and Dylan Write.

Heats will be held everyday from March 3-8, with the winners of each heat competing in semi final events between March 10-11 at Martin Place and Pitt Street with the final on Sunday 12 March.

To check out some of NSW’s most exceptional unsigned talent, visit ANZ Australia on Facebook for the daily line-up.

ANZ BLUE STAGES PROGRAM

Heat 1: Thursday 3 March (Martin Place – 12-2pm)

Performers: Planet / Christie Lamb / Adam Harpaz / James Englund

Heat 2: Friday 4 March (Martin Place – 12-2pm)

Performers: I am Apollo / Ella Freestone / The Khanz / Rachel Fahim

Heat 3: Saturday 5 March (Pitt St Mall – 4-6pm)

Performers: Lissa Diener / Nova and the Experience / Borneo / Aime Pitcher

Heat #4: Sunday 6 March (Pitt St Mall – 4-6pm)

Performers: Dog the Duke / Jarryn Pheagan / Dylan Write / Martin Hulbert

Heat #5: Monday 7 March (Martin Place – 12-2pm)

Performers: Mabel / Lane Sinclair (Say My Name Band) / Sabrina Soares / Jaime Lindsay