Wolverhampton unsigned band The Icon prepare for Soundwaves UK grand final
Young rockers The Icon are putting the final touches to their set as they prepare for one last hurdle in their bid to win a national music competition.
The group, whose members hail from Wolverhampton, Penkridge and Kingswinford, have reached the grand final of the Soundwaves UK Music Competition which takes place at Birmingham's O2 Institute on Saturday.
Having conquered the semi-finals at Liverpool's O2 Academy in March, they are now one step closer to reaching their goal of becoming a high profile touring band.
The stakes could not be higher, with a UK tour, promotion on radio and chances to perform live on air as well as a deal with the label Subwaves up for grabs.
But guitarist and vocalist for the former The Ticket Unsigned page stars Tom Harrison could not be less worried.
"We're chilled out really," he said of his band, all aged between 16 and 19. "We haven't done a lot of special preparation, we usually just turn up and wing it.
"We are really looking forward to playing it though. We're going to play some newly written original material which mixes a heavier rock 'n' roll style with our usual vocal harmonies. Hopefully people like it."
The band, who have a huge love for The Beatles and the wider 60s rock sound, expect to have around 100 followers cheering them on on the night. But Tom says tickets are still available, and can be bought by contacting the band through their Facebook page @TheIcon222.
And no matter the result on Saturday it will be a busy year for The Icon, who are currently in negotiations to land a slot at the Belgian Beatles Festival in Belgium later this year, part of their first oversees gigs.
"Either way, win or lose, we'll party hard," Tom added of this weekend.
After that, July sees The Icon at The Brewood Music Festival and the Tettenhall Woodstock Festival as well as the Belgian adventure in November. They are also hoping to perform in London in the autumn – 'watch on Facebook for details,' said a spokesman.
