2013-03-07 16:27:49 -

The semi finals of UNI Music League (UML) are shaping up to be quite the event. Monday night saw the second quarter final showdown and the talent on offer was undeniable. David Watters from Nerve Management (I Blame Coco, Booka Shade, Tiga) made an appearance and was left speechless. Actually it was more the opposite of speechless, it seemed to trigger a ‘repeat’ button in his brain, as ‘I just can’t believe it’ became the only sentence he could string together.

‘It’s just unreal to see such talent coming from universities’ he said. ‘I’ve been in the business for over 10 years now and this seems more like a label showcase night than anything else. Great crowd as well, the

acts must be loving it.’

Mr. Watters, how right you are. All the participating acts, even those who didn’t squeeze through to the next round, have been expressing their gratitude to UML since the opener in PROUD Camden just under two months ago.

Alaskan Faction, BBC Radio regulars, missed out by a handful of votes but could not resist the temptation of screaming love into UML cameras after the results were announced.
‘We just want to say thanks so much to UML. Both nights we’ve played have been amazing, great venues and great crowds that we wouldn’t have had without you.’ The fact that a band of their quality didn’t progress is indicative of the standard that UML have set for their events.

The Shama Rahman Band, as agonisingly close as Alaskan Faction, have already received praise and support from BBC Radio DJs Gilles Peterson and Michelle Hussey. Remember these are the groups that didn’t go through.

James Daubney and Vivienne Youel were the two acts into the semis, and what stunning performers they both are. Whilst James mixes every genre under the sun into one mind-blowing sound on his acoustic 12-string, Vivienne Youel has found a wonderful balance between folk and rock. Almost a half-way house between Laura Marling and Snow Patrol, Vivienne has a dancey yet classy approach to her songwriting, as well as how she goes about finding band members. ‘Well mainly it’s their dashing looks to be honest’. No complaints there Viv, keep up the good work.

UNI Music League is back on this Tuesday 12th March with the 3rd quarter final at The Borderline, Soho.

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