X Factor’s Gary Barker says new city talent competition could find the next Harry Styles

Liverpool singer Gary Barker is hosting a new competition to showcase the city’s talent and celebrate Eurovision, and he says the winner could be the next Harry Styles.

“He’s just phenomenal,” says Gary. “He scooped up the awards at The Brits – and he came from a competition.

“We all know that Liverpool has produced some of the best artists ever, so this is a fantastic opportunity for solo singers, duos, and bands to show us what they’ve got, to entertain us, and have fun.

“And who knows? We could find the next Harry Styles – the talent is definitely out there.”

Livervision will be held at new Liverpool club Elysium, with auditions and a semi-final leading to a grand final on May 6, just days before the Eurovision Song Contest begins at the M&S Bank Arena.

Gary, who reached the six-chair challenge stage of X Factor in 2017 and had a top 10 hit with Dreams Come True, says: “I came up with the idea for Livervision because we all know Liverpool is going to go Eurovision mad, it’s happening already. You could see it when Rylan was here for the handover, and I wanted to celebrate it. It’s great for Liverpool.

“But I also wondered what I could do to incorporate a singing competition. There’s no X Factor anymore and when I look back to when I was younger, there were singing competitions all over the place, not just on telly. We don’t have them anymore.

“So I thought I’d take my experiences from when I was a kid. I’ve got a five-year plan to come away from the stage and start helping local people, new artists, to find work, find venues and build careers and relationships, and this is the start of it.”

Livervision will begin with open auditions at Elysium on Thursday, March 23, with 30 contestants getting through to a semi-final around two weeks later.

The final will be held on Saturday, May 6, when 20 people will fight it out to win £1,000, and a personal appearance at Elysium. The evening will also support Liverpool City Region’s LGBTQ+ charity, the LCR Pride Foundation, and the winner will have the chance to take the stage at Liverpool Pride in July.

A celebrity panel of judges will help to select Livervision’s winner and will include actor Phil Olivier, RHOC’s Nick & Royston, and Brookside and Shameless actor Tina Malone, who says: “This year is really special to me, as me and my dad used to watch Eurovison religiously. It’s such a special event for me!

“To be part of Livervision and be able to see some of Liverpool’s most talented people is going to be wonderful. Bring it on and, as for judging, expect nothing but the truth from me – and may the best person win!”

Gary adds: “We are expecting an audience of about 600 in the club, and I’ve got agents and booking agents coming, so it’s going to be a great night which will give people some amazing opportunities.

“I know better than anyone how hard it is to get into the entertainment industry so to have agents there who can take contestants, not just the winner, on their journey will be fantastic.

“Contestants will be judged on their vocal ability, their stage presence and song choice, and audience participation. The crowd reaction will bring in the highest points, so contestants should bring along friends and family to support them.”

Doors open at 6pm for the open auditions on Thursday, March 23. Contestants must be over 18 and will perform on a first come, first serve, basis. All contestants must complete an online registration form. Fill in the form HERE.

Entry to the auditions is £5 per person, on the door, for contestants and the audience.

The semi-final will take place on Saturday, April 8.

The final will be held on Saturday, May 6, starting at 5.30pm (doors will open at 4pm). Tickets to the final will be on sale for £15.

Gary says: “Liverpool is a great city. Eurovision will show what we can do – and Livervision will do that too.”

* To keep up to date follow @elysiumliverpool on Instagram.