Now in its second year, the Glastonbury Unsigned Performers Competition gets thousands of entries from bands competing for slots on the John Peel Stage, the Dance Tent, the Acoustic Stage and the Jazz World Stage. The overall winner gets to play on the Other Stage. The Glastonbury judges listen to three tracks from every CD which is sent in, and finally whittle down the entries to just six bands per category, who then have to battle it out in the Finals competition at the Pilton Working Men's Club. And the winner is...  | | Michael Eavis was one of the judges |
The six finalists who competed in the Jazz World Stage Unsigned Final were Paddy Milner, Unnati, Moya, Reem Kelani, Dragonsfly, and Kristian Bediiako's WorldFusion. The groups had just 20 minutes each to impress the judging panel, which comprised Malcolm Haynes, Jazz World and Dance Programmer; Mark Simpson, Jazz World Stage Production Manager; Tony Benjamin, Jazz Lounge Programmer; and the Glastonbury guru himself, Michael Eavis. Playing World Music with Celtic and Eastern flavours, Dragonsfly, from Cheddar and Butleigh, were the only local band to make it through to the Final. You can listen to a backstage interview with the band, and find out more about them, by clicking on the links at the top of this page. After the six finalists had taken to the stage, it wasn't long before the judges announced African jazz group Moya as the winners of the exclusive spot on the Jazz World Stage at Glasto 2005. Go backstage  | | Moya on stage at the Jazz World Final |
By clicking on the audio links at the top of this page, you can listen to interviews with: - Moya speaking about their triumph, minutes after they were announced as the winners of the competition. - Somerset's Dragonsfly talking about their set, and what they've got lined up in the next few months. Although they were unlucky in this competition, you'll still be able to catch them at Glasto when they play the Croissant Neuf tent. - Jazz artist Paddy Milner, who grew up in Dorset, speaking about his music and growing up in the West, backstage at the Finals. - Some members of the judging panel discussing this year's entries, the judging process, and what it takes to get to play at Glasto. - BlackBud, the winners of last year's New Band Tent Finals, who were at the Final, checking out this year's competition. Find out what they've been up to since they played at Glasto last year. | 
