The Glastonbury John Peel Stage Unsigned Final took place on Saturday 19 March. Find out who won the prestigious prize of playing on the John Peel Stage at this year's Glasto, and listen to exclusive interviews with the winners and Michael Eavis.
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...
The Mad Staring Eyes on stage at the competition
The six finalists who competed in the John Peel Stage Unsigned Final were Transcargo, Duke Raoul, The Priscillas, Sound Development Agency, The Mad Staring Eyes, and Tone.
The groups had just 20 minutes each to impress the judging panel, which comprised Martin Elbourne, Pyramid Stage and John Peel Stage Programmer, Alan Rhodes from Radio 1, Clive Underhill-Smith, a London booking agent, Michael Eavis, and (in an unofficial capacity) Michael's daughter Emily.
After much deliberation, and more than a little disagreement between the judges (!), The Mad Staring Eyes were announced as the winners of the John Peel Unsigned Final.
Go backstage
The Priscillas rock the John Peel competition
You can see photos from the competition by going to the link at the top of this page. By clicking on the audio links, you can listen to interviews with:
- The Mad Staring Eyes speaking about winning the competition, just after Michael Eavis announced the result, and their thoughts about John Peel.
- Michael Eavis talking about The Mad Staring Eyes and why they were chosen as the winners.
- Michael Eavis speaking about John Peel, why he decided to name the stage after him, and the impact he had on Glastonbury.
- Radio 1's Alan Rhodes, one of the judges of the Acoustic and John Peel Stage Finals, talking about the winners, the judging process, and the other Finalists.
last updated: 01/12/05
Have Your Say
Will you be heading to the John Peel Stage at this year's Glasto? Who would you like to see play on the stage?
Lisa I would love to see Rodney Branigan play on the John Peel stage he's the most amazing artist I've seen live
Amanda Foster I would love to see The Sails play on the John Peel stage. They are a great, uplifting band and brighten the whole place up. Check them out. Thank you! Mandie
fabricio pale sunday
ratcatcher Id second the Bobbie Peru recommendations, catch them live if you can. I just bought an EP from the website and it really is quite impressive
Chiller Show And where were Contact?? ...granted, the CD that was sent in wasn't too great...but still!
ellie does ne1 know the album overlooking rutland waters
Snaz Bobbie Peru are brilliant. Really worth watching out for
Matt Scrimshaw Gear. Absolutely block rocking
Taylor Mohair or Emma Rohan definatley.. Quality Bands!!!
RL what about repo's bazaar??????????
Kingo Unimpressed by the winners - this will undoubtedly be the biggest moment of their career - what a waste of a decent slot. Also how did the priscillas even get past the first round - is this competition based purely on image?
gp The Red Hand Band should have won - there is no doubt in my mind...
Beffi I worked backstage on the John Peel stage when it was the 'new tent' in '02 and '04. Best experience ever and I got a beer off The Killers! Can't wait to see LETHARGY play Glasto soon, what a treat that would be!
BLURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHH BOBBLEDY BOO
flavia c I´m in love with this band...its new...and its called pale sunday!
they are so sweet, and they rock on theyr gigs!!!
Shelley Fleming I'd love to see Pale Sunday, off of Matinee Records! Awesome band!!!!
amanda i would like too see a band called mot there this year, i hope they are there, as that would make my day
banana girl HEY MAD TONY!!I have heard promising things about Bobbie Peru too, but not caught them live yet. Have you seen them or know anything more about them??
Katie DO NOT MISS The Infadels!!!!!!!!
d e'l ehe'd music with a different message but got no ears
Mad Tony Bobbie Peru are worth catching.
Jollynolly For me it has to be Hard-Fi cant wait to see them. They are going to make it BIG!
Idril I heard James Blunt was going to be playing...Please say yes!!!
alex it was killer who played on the new bands stage last year. I saw them n muse headlinning it was my first glasto at the age of 13 i shall nva 4get it
Bobby I was hoping to check out a new band called dead!dead!dead!, they are the best new live act in Britian today. Remember, you heard it from me first.
baz please ,no phil jupitus this year he is naff
Mr odd M83,Mogwai,Grandaddy,Mercury rev,Arab strap,Godspeed yo black emperor
matt i well hope ian brown will play. as well a s british sea power!
Corinne I will definately be heading to the John Peel stage this year to check out the atmosphere and new bands! after all, weren't the killers or franz ferdiand playing there last year? Think it's excellent it's been named after peelio, couldn't think of anyone better to name it after.
Tomski Beat I have got to totally agree with Kirk. Peel was the only dj on mainstream radio to play death and thrash metal. He would have been chuffed if such a band (or some happy hardcore or drill n bass) had won at the expense of the 'norm'
sarah anyone who is dedicated to their music and puts 100% into it just as john did! playing music for the sake of music not for fame!
little pixie id love to see once under play!
alice power this band should play at glastonbury went to their gig in frome last night-best gig ive been to all year they are amaaaaaaaazing!!!
kirk -A Competition Panelist-
Its a shame that it isn't really for peely. Because he loved every kind of music. Heavy music death metal music etc.
Rock music just seems to be dying around somerset. Its a shame glastonbury dont support it.
I apreciate you getting back to me tho. I bet its hard for you guys aswell.
Lauren Was at the Glastonbury John Peel Stage final on 19th March, Mad Staring Eyes are Fab
Nic Am very dissapointed with the bands that have been picked.
Juliathepigeon This was the best idea that I have ever heard.John would be proud.
Dave Mad Staring eyes are gonna be huggggggggggggge
A Competition Panelist Kirk, sorry you didn't make it through, I can assure you a lot of us love hard rock and we consider every band who sends a demo in, let alone from every "genre". Unfortunately, we can't put even 10% of what we'd like to through to the finals.
kirk I am really disapointed with the judges and organisers.We are in a heavy rock band and me and my mates said before we knew what sorta of band would get win. And i checked it out and we were correct. They should consider all band from every genre not just the "norm".
amanda jepson defiently the tears
me joe public should have got a slot. why didn't they even get to the finals?
