NX Level music competition 2012 - The Final

This page is part of the music section

The NX Level competition began in 2011 and ran through to 2012. Shows were held at The Music Cafe in Leicester.

Our report on the live show of 26th January 2012 | We reported on a heat that took place in 2011

The Final, Friday 24th February

Report by Trevor Locke and Amanda Bowe

THE NXLEVEL started with an auditions phase, when artists appeared before a selection panel. This did not have a live audience. 20 acts were selected to go through to the live shows.

In the live shows, the acts needed to win the audience over and to impress the three judges, who gave their verdicts on what they had just seen and were able to give two votes to each act.

The NxLevel Final tonight, held at The Music Cafe, was one of the most remarkable live events seen in Leicester in a long time.

Ten acts took to the stage to see if they could win the contest and the top prize. A large crowd of people had gathered to fill the 350 capacity venue and cheer on the acts they were there to support.

The night got off to a literally flying start as a group of young dancers from Original Movement took to the floor to demonstrate their considerable skills in break dance and hip-hop moves. With the DJ putting on compulsively big beats, the lads performed some olympic-level moves, spinning on their heads, doing kick-ups, flares, helicopters, turtles and free style moves, they put on an impressive array of gymnastic moves that really fired up the crowd around them. Amazing high-energy dance; very impressive.

See more about the Original Movements Hip-Hop Dance Academy on Facebook.

It's all about the song

The Judges were ready for the first act: Bizzi Dixon, JavStar Imaan and Oz McDevitt. A difficult night lay ahead of them, as ten top acts gathered back stage in readiness for their one-song chance to get into the final five.

First on was Bossman. He was backed by two singers and another rapper and, at the back, a sitar player. Now that was interesting. As the judges commented, what they were looking for tonight was a polished performance and one that would "set the crowd on fire". Being the first act is always difficult; the crowd were not yet warmed up and the start of his set was delayed by technical problems with the sound system. He drew the crowd into his set Bossman eventually got into his set of hip-hop songs and the judges were reasonably complementary, saying he was "charismatic" but noting that the "singers weren't loud enough. In the room we really couldn't hear the sitar, which was a disappointment. Technical issues but a good act all the same.

The three lads from XYZ. They started with a role play and had a good sound but the backing music was too loud due to a technical hitch and unfortunately we couldn't really hear them. They didn't really try to involve the crowd or get them engaged with the act, so it lacked atmosphere. Some very good lyrics in their songs and raps, when you could hear them. They introduced a guitar, half way through the performance, which added a bit of vitality to their set. The judges verdicts: not overly enthusiastic.

Rock singer Michael Vickers delivered a set of his original songs, accompanying himself on guitar plus augmenting the sound with a pre-recorded backing track. The once lead singer of rock band Kicking Habits set off on a solo career when the band split up and is now busy on the local scene doing acoustic appearances; so, an experienced artist. This bouncy song and confident stage presence went down well with the audience. With his one song he managed to get some good comments from the panel: "I liked that, good job" they commented.

Rapper Bass Ventura too to the stage and began his act to some very heavy backing beats. He immediately got the crowd going, creating an atmosphere that brought his song alive, putting out an upbeat vibe. His vibrant performance was certainly busy but his lyrics got lost in the welter of heavy beats and less than perfect articulation. The Judges commented on his amazing stage presence and moves but though his vocals were a bit monotone.

Hip-hop artist C. James came on next and his song did stand out, with its infectious backing beats and clear vocal lines. His versatile delivery engaged the audience. The judges liked his work but thought that the intro song could have been better integrated into the rap that followed it. They liked his use of props and extras as part of the act.

DJs fire up the crowd

During the interval, DJ Glamour put on some really exciting drum and bass tracks and the audience formed a circle and a lot of them got into some dancing. This was all part of the atmosphere both here at the finals and during the live shows. What stood out about the NxLevel shows is that they created a party atmosphere, a bit like a club night and that gave the whole show something extra. A good audience experience.

It was good to see some of the performers from previous heats in the crowd, who had come down to support the show. We also spotted some industry personalities and rock celebs in the crowd, clearly enjoying it all and having a good time. Once again, compere Deano Presto did an excellent job of introducing the acts and keep things sweet for the audience. What an ace performer!

Singing star Mark Elliott kicked off the second half. The well-known singer used a loop pedal to create his own backing tracks live on stage. Performing one of his own songs, Mark projected strong vocals and stage presence and drew an enthusiastic response from the crowd. The Judges' verdict was good: "You have potential to sell records", "consistently impressive at every performance", "Very different to the other acts but the pedal was a gimmick, you are good enough without it."

Marvin Brown followed this with a vibrant act that really moved the fans with his combination of song and rap, accompanied by a guitarist and backing vocalist. Both Marvin and his backers were dressed in showbiz costumery, showing that they taken some trouble to look the part. The judges were complimentary: "Performance was really good and brought something new to the stage", "The smoothest performance of the night", "A great performance".

Izzy - Delightful

The only female act solo act in tonight's line-up, Izzy Marie Hill showed us her amazing voice and considerable talents as a song-writer and guitarist. Whilst lacking the strong stage presence shown by some of the other acts, Izzy delivered a delightful song that pleased the majority of the audience, as well as The Judges. "Vocally very good", "beautiful voice" and "could easily write songs worth recording, very talented" came from the table at the back.

A big posse of fans had come down to support Feeva Dan, an artist who delivered a set of rapid fire raps. Without doubt a performance with considerable passion and verve, Feeva Dan took it up a notch and his fans were wild with excitement. Delivering some clever lyrics and plenty of cool move, he got the room behind him and clearly impressed the Judges. "Lots of energy, "Smashed it", "he did me proud."

A strong sense of excitement greeted the arrival on stage of Hip-hop singer Curtis. A popular act, he showed what a polished performer he was as he worked the crowd and acted his words, pumping plenty of life and action into his song. Backed by compelling rhythms and lashings of style, looking like he was really enjoying his time on stage, Curtis put on an excellent set. The judges glowed with satisfaction: "You looked like an artist, oozing stage presence ... polished performer", "You raised it to the next level, "Really good I can see people buying into you."

It all comes to a head

The night then went into the Elimination procedure in which the judges had to select five out of the ten acts to go through to the final selection. They chose three acts to enter the next stage of the night: Mark Elliot, Izzy Marie Hill and Curtis. The audience were then invited to cheer through another two acts, via a cheer-o-meter on the big screens. Bass Ventura and Fevadan went through on the audience's vocal vote.

Everyone I spoke to commented that it had been a really great night. "An amazing experience", "a really good show", "there's never been anything like this in Leicester before"; it was clear that the punters were having a great time. They were also awestruck by the DJs, saying that the decks had been blasting out some top tunes during the intervals.

The Judges asked the final five questions. Bizzi asked "What makes you different and how much would you appreciate it if you won?" Curtis replied: " I rap about my life - that makes me different to a lot of rappers. I love music and I would do anything to win this. I would quit my day job for less money, I am that dedicated."

Javstar asked: "How would you take what you have to the next level?". Feeva Dan told her "Currently no dub step artists are making it and I am working on a new sound, different to the others. Breaking the traditions of the current scene - I want to do that."

Oz asked Mark Elliott "Why haven't you already made it?". Mark said: "I haven't had either the promotional package or the funds to take it to the next level. I need financial backing to reach it."

Oz also asked Izzy Marie Hill "What will make you take it further than other female artists?". She replied: "Originality and a different edge."

The final two battle it out

The line-up was whittled down to two. Curtis Clacey and Mark Elliott found themselves in a nail-biting stand off for the winning post. Fortunately the two guys had know each other for a while and were friends. In fact, they once collaborated when they put on an impromptu jam session on the back of a bus and this got into YouTube. Mark has also collaborated on songs with other leading Urban artists, such as Kyle Jarvis (K.Y.)

Curtis performed his last song The One, followed by Mark Elliott who gave us his song Maybe She Will. Two impressive closing performances were almost equally as good, though for different reasons. Their style is artistically different but in terms of quality they were clearly neck and neck.

Curtis claims the prize

The judges got to the final vote to decide between the pair; but pleaded that they should become joint winners. The organisers said no - there could only be one winner.

In the end the decision of the finals was final: Curtis Clacey was the champion of the NxLevel and walked away with the top prize, to the screams and cheers of the excited crowd.

What an fantastic night out! After nearly six hours at the Music Cafe, we were well worn out but happy that we had been there for a memorable event on Leicester's always exhilarating live music scene.

The attendance was amazing; I couldn't help thinking that if there is another NXLevel like this one, they are going to need a bigger venue!

We'll let Judge Bizzi Dixon have the last word: "Both extremely talented performers!".

See photos from the shows on the NXLevel gallery on Facebook

See the second half of the NXLevel semifinals on Youtube.

Other pages you might like:

Our Urban Music section

See The NX Level web site

NX Level competition wall on Facebook

Glastonbudget Festival auditions

Music competitions in 2012

Music competitions in 2011