After an evening of varied live performances at Pilton Working Men’s Club from an eclectic line-up of eight finalists, Hastings singer-songwriter Marie White was announced the winner of the Glastonbury 2019 Emerging Talent Competition, supported by PRS for Music and the PRS Foundation. Marie won a prestigious spot on one of the Festival’s main stages, plus a £5,000 Talent Development prize from the PRS Foundation. The short straw of playing first was hardly a barrier to success in Marie’s case and her heartfelt melancholia certainly struck a chord with the judges, who included hosts Michael and Emily Eavis, Radio 1’s new music guru Huw Stephens, Glastonbury stage bookers and music business p

I received the announcement of who has made the final cut in this year’s Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition with the usual mix of pleasure and trepidation. Sadly, there was no room at the inn for the three wonderful acts – Sophie Morgan, The Harriets and Truly Ford - I chose from the 172 I listened to but all three can take real pride in their work. I hope and believe they will all go on to have great careers in the music industry. Labels and booking agents, please take note! So, who did make it from the long list of 90 chosen from the several thousand entries this year? The eight acts through to the Final are: Che Lingo, iiola, LIINES, Marie White, Roma Palace, Shunaji, Swimming Girls