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Boybands
and solo artistes, make up artists and stylists, karaoke machines,
and even the power puff girls made their appearances at a
giant roadshow in the Touchwood Centre aimed at local teenage
girls and to give them the opportunity to experience a variety
of interactive zones like: style, music, talent and beauty.
Boys
weren't left empty handed as the whole roadshow was presented
by local lass Laura Jaye of children's television, pop stardom
and also an entrant in the Top 100 Sexiest girls in a male
magazine poll - plus there was a competition to find the best
looking guy, who'd win a magazine photoshoot.
Youngsters,
who'd reckon they were the next Christina Aguilera or Pink
got the chance to stretch their vocal chords by trying out
a new interactive karaoke PS2 game or for the less theatrical
girlies there were plenty of try-outs and giveaways available
for fashion, beauty and hair as well as professional make
overs and fashion advice.
Modelling
scouts were also on the look out as one Midlander will get
the chance to win a contract with a top London based modelling
agency.
The
main stage show, which hosted the model competition also provided
the arena for a live music from a variety of acts including
ex-Pop Idol Chris Hyde, RnB girl ground - FYA and dance groups
Smujji and Angel City.
Also
on the stage were up and coming punk/pop group, Freefaller
who'll be releasing their debut single in September. I managed
to catch up with Ollie, Rich, Gary and Dean just before they
went on stage.
JJ:
Hey guys, how's you? So聟 how did Freefaller all start
then?
<<
the group all point to Ollie >>
Ollie:
(in a Geordie accent) 聟. Well basically, I used to be
in a band called Point Break - like. When that split and finished,
we decided what can we do, like, to move on sorta' thing!
I started writing songs for other artists and then I met Dean,
because Dean was our tour manager's cousin. I met Rich through
a friend of mine and Gary I'd been working with as part of
the management team for Point Break - we were all writing
and we just thought; sod other people, let's just do it ourselves
- so three and a half years later, that's why we're here.
JJ:
Wow, you've been working on it for a long time then! What's
been the hardest part so far in that three and a half years?
Ollie:
Being broke! Wanting to do what we want to do, but being completely
skint, like!
JJ:
Awwww - so what are you guys looking forward to the most today
then?
Rich:
Today, hmmm.. getting onstage and enjoying it!
Gary:
Getting out and doing the gig, talking to people afterwards.
Y'know, just that kinda thing really - hanging out, having
a good time!
JJ:
So, what's been the best gig you've done so far?
Gary:
Ohhh聟 I don't know? Probably... Err聟Stockton a couple
of weeks ago. The crowd was amazing, was about 30 thousand
people there - it was great, it was such a buzz, was a really
good day!
JJ:
Do you write your own material guys? How long does that take
you?
Rich:
Everything has either been written by us or we've co-written
with other people. Now, sometimes it can take a couple of
hours and other times it can take a couple of weeks. It depends
how easy it flows, really?
Dean:
Our sound is 'PunkPop', it's a bit American punk with British
Pop!
Ollie:
Ya'see like, we could see here and tell you what it is and
what it isn't but we'll leave that to you to decide
JJ:
Now, finally - if you could support anyone, who would it
be?
Dean:
Avril Lavinge
Rich: I'm gonna say Blink 182 - that'll be cool!
Ollie: To be honest, I couldn't care as long as we
just got up on stage and did what we did, I wouldn't be bothered
who'd we support - BUT I'd draw the line at the Tweenies.
They're too hard rockers for us!
Gary: We saw Bowling for Soup a while ago and that
was a pretty wicked live show - that'll be cool to be on their
show.
Freefaller certainly rocked out Solihull and everyone really
seemed to enjoy their performance - in which saw a lot of
their fan base who turned up. I didn't manage to catch the
other acts but I'm sure everyone had a great time.
If
you were there - email jonathan.jacob@bbc.co.uk
and let us know what you though of the event, the show and
the pop acts! The best views will go up on the site.
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