Emerging artists from across the region took to the stage at the Griffith Regional Theatre on Sunday for the fourth Grass Roots Under 30s Open Mic Competition.
The competition had 10 contestants who were competing for three prizes that either provided them with performing opportunities or could assist them in developing their music careers.
The artists showed off their skills to a crowd and judges Ben Ceccato, Luke Piccolo and Bonnie Owen.
Grass Roots founder Ben Ceccato said Grassroots 2022 was a resounding success.
“As one of the founders of the event, I couldn’t be more proud of the teamwork and camaraderie in making this happen,” said Mr Ceccato.
“This year’s entrants were brilliant and attendees would be hard pressed to believe the afternoon was an ‘open mic’ as all the acts were world-class.”
Lilly Harris opened the event accompanied by Matthew Segrave on piano with acoustic covers of Lady Gaga’s Always Remember Us This Way and She Used to Be Mine from the musical Waitress.
Second up was Alana Bernardi with some powerful ballads, followed by Luke Rokotavaga known as 679lukey who performed his original song Trench Baby. Previous Grass Roots winner Jorja Scott known as Missi J performed two originals Just Friends and Live in My Heart.
Fates Babies, a group of young singers comprised of John Samuelu-Kirby, Timote Liu, Jaylan Tia and Liliana Ah Kee, performed a cover and their original song Missing You. Traditional Irish musician Caitlín Ní Mhéalóid wowed patrons with her vocal skills, while J.RVU know as Jesse Aviu performed original Guiding Light and his rendition of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley. Giorgia De Paoli and Alex Pietroboni took to the stage with original Follow Me and cover of Joel Corry x MNEK’s Head & Heart.
Kayne Lyndon from Corowa performed two originals, The Spark and AlWeC. Michael Dilorenzo closed the competition with his beautiful rendition of Perfect by Ed Sheeran in English and Italian, as well as his original song Alone.
All contestants received a ticket to A Day in the Orchard (ADITO) festival at Piccolo Family Farm, and Best Original Song was won by J.RVU who received a recording session at The CAD Factory, including a mixed and mastered finished song valued at $800. The ADITO Award was won by Fates Babies winning a paid performance opportunity of $500 for the opening set of A Day in the Orchard festival on Sunday 9 October. And Giorgia and Alex took home the Judges’ Choice Award, sponsored by Western Riverina Arts, taking out a Sound workshop valued at $390 with Hilary Geddes and Niki Johnson, as part of the Speaking Place by ADITO.
“Grassroots is becoming a highlight of the local music scene and is cementing itself as a local institution for musical creativity and opportunity,” said Mr Ceccato.
Next year’s Grass Roots event will again include a song writing workshop to encourage original music, the open mic competition as well as more performance opportunities for young artists.
Griffith Regional Theatre manager, Marg Andreazza said the performers all did such a great job.
“We’re pleased to put on events like Grass Roots and to be able to facilitate not only just a space, but also opportunities for emerging artists in our community. We’re looking forward to having more local performances at the Theatre,” she said.
