Justin Tomlinson MP was today proud to announce the nominee for Rock the House from North Swindon.
Many applications were received and the standard was very high, but local band “With Felix” were put forward by Justin in the Under 18s category. (http://www.youtube.com/withfelix )
In only its second year running, Mike Weatherley MP’s Rock the House has dwarfed all other Parliamentary competitions and become the single most participated-in Parliamentary competition with a massive 165 MPs submitting nominations – including the Prime Minister David Cameron.
With no shortage of Patronage from rock stars, a vast array of priceless prizes and a finalists’ judging panel that reads as the who’s who of the music industry, it is no surprise that Rock the House has captured the imagination of MPs and musicians alike.
The competition sees MPs nominate the best live bands, solo artists and music venues from their constituencies to be considered by the all-star panel of judges, including:
• Mark Hoppus (Blink 182)
• Charlie Simpson (Fightstar)
• Tony Moore (Bedford)
• Alex Milas (Editor, Metal Hammer)
• Scott Rowley (Editor, Classic Rock)
• Andrew Daw (Universal Music Group International)
• Jon Keats (Cavern Club)
• Paul McManus (Chief Executive, Music Industries Association)
• Mark Fuller (Sanctum)
• Pablo Ettinger (Caffe Nero)
• Paul Fletcher (EMI)
• David Pick (Vintage TV)
• Ben Cooper (BBC Radio 1 Controller)
• Ian Moss (BPI)
• Tim Ingham (Editor, Music Week)
The competition aims to raise the profile of live music and intellectual property rights issues in Parliament, forcing MPs to engage with a creative demographic who are the future behind the UK’s second largest economy.
Justin Tomlinson MP said:
“I was delighted to nominate With Felix as North Swindon’s entry. It was a tight field but the band just edged ahead with their own songs. I wish them the best of luck at the final next Monday in Nottingham.”
Founder Mike Weatherley MP said:
“It’s fantastic – the scale of the entries is unprecedented. I’m pleased that so many MPs and Ministers are getting behind my competition and that Rock the House is driving the education of MPs on the issue of Intellectual Property Rights and live music forward with quite considerable success.”