Singer leads city talent hunt

Sep 7 2005 By James Cartledge, Evening Mail

THEY were rocketed from the Rum Runner to rulers of the pop world - and Birmingham's most famous musical sons today backed ten unsigned bands to follow in their footsteps.

Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon said the city was buzzing with undiscovered musical talent just waiting to hit the big time.

He was speaking as the ten unknown groups prepared for the chance to perform before 115,000 revellers at this weekend's Artsfest celebrations.

They won the spots on a new music website launched to promote Birmingham's best unsigned bands.

"We have some amazing memories of Birmingham, which is where it all started for us at the Rum Runner," Le Bon said.

"Birmingham is our spiritual home and I think events like this are enormously important.

"We would never have been so successful without the backing of local promoters and venues.

"Birmingham has so many talented musicians and songwriters who should be getting more exposure," the singer added.

The winning ten acts beat off competition from hundreds of rivals to secure performing slots at Artsfest after applying through the www.birminghamusic.com website.

They are The Mexicolas, 360, Hey Pablo!, The Gammatones, 35 Seconds, The Motive, James Summerfield, Kanopus, Stanley's Choice and D.Louis Baker & Friends.

The original Duran Duran lineup has now reformed, and played at St Andrew's in May.