The Handpicked Festival will merge locals and legends this November when one lucky South Australian act is given the chance to play alongside a line up of talented Aussie muso’s.
A handful of the state’s top performers will battle it out on social media to see who will perform alongside Matt Corby and Jet at this year’s Handpicked Festival on the 11th of November at Lake Breeze Wines.
Infectious eclectic group the Coconut Kids, six-piece indie folk group The Winter Gypsy, talented musician Alana Jagt, singer-songwriter Georiga Carey and theatrical vocalist Mahalia Barr-Mashei are finalists in Handpicked’s ‘local acts competition,’ beating out hundreds of applicants.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE LOCAL ARTIST HERE
Voting closes 8am Monday the 18th
“Every year I put a call out for local South Australian bands to send me their latest EP so I get a list of about 200 every year.
“From that I listen to a lot of music all night long and select three key artists and then we put it to a poll on social media,” organiser Kate Cooper says.
The power will be in the public’s hands, with the winner of the social media competition opening the festival, which will host its biggest line up yet, with indie pop sensation San Cisco and exciting indie rockers The Jezabels also appearing.
In contention is the fun and outrageously different group, The Coconut Kids, who have mesmerized crowds with its blend of French-influenced world folk, using ukulele, brass, keys, violin, mandolin and powerful vocals.
After forming as a collusion of four separate bands, The Winter Gypsy, is also vying for top spot, hoping its range from soft folk melodies and haunting harmonies to soaring, upbeat instrumentals will prove popular.
Fresh from releasing her debut solo single, Lullaby #2, local musician Alana Jagt will be hoping her old soul voice and charming slice of indie folk pop-rock will get her over the line.
Twenty-three-year-old songwriter Georgia Carey is no stranger to competition, appearing on ‘The Voice’ last year and is sure to impress fans with her second EP, ‘Breakthrough Sessions.’
With 15 years of industry experience, creative power house, Mahalia Barr-Mashei is a triple threat, not only singer and acting but also performing in the theatre and wowing crowds at this year’s Fringe Festival.
“I’m not envious of the fans who will be selecting the winner online, because it’s a stellar line up to choose from, with such a diverse and interesting blend of acts,’ Cooper says.
With a passion for unearthing new talent, Kate Cooper has been supporting local bands with this competition for the past four years.
“The competition is a way to get your name out there and we’re trying to support local acts that may not have been signed yet.
“We’re so proud to see a number of our past local acts get their big break with Paige Renee Court now doing amazing things, Timberwolf doing exceptionally well and Ash Gale kicking goals,’ said Kate Cooper.
To vote for the local band you would like to open the festival, jumped onto Handpicked Festival’s Facebook page using the handle, @handpickedfestival. Tickets can be purchased for $89.95 from www.handpickedfestival.com.
Voting closes 8am Monday the 18th
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