Local band make the final of The Printworks Unsigned

Without Andrew

Rochdale band Without Andrew have made it into the final of The Printworks Unsigned competition.

The band secured their place in the final after competing in live auditions for the annual singing and live band competition on Saturday 30 March. 18 solo artists, duos and bands from across the region took to the stage to perform cover songs and original material in front of a live audience and an expert panel of judges. Dave Foran (Manchester Radio Online), Terry Snowden MBE (Heroes Project) and Phil Ireland (bass guitarist, Exit State) scored contestants on stage presence, crowd reaction and talent.

Without Andrew made it to the final, beating off stiff competition, playing one of their own original songs.

The band is comprised of Matthew Buckley and Sam Robertson, both 20 and from Rochdale, and 19-year-old Rachel Quazi.

Without Andrew is one of eight finalists who will take part in the grand final on Saturday 12 April.

The winner of The Printworks Unsigned 2014 is chosen by an expert judging panel, including celebrity judge Rowetta from The Happy Mondays.

Commenting on behalf of the band, Matthew said: “We’re a punk rock band and have been playing together for the past seven months. Sam and I are house mates, so we are always playing music together.

“We heard about the competition online and thought The Printworks would be a great venue to play. Being in the centre of Manchester, it’s the perfect place to grab people’s attention – especially people who might not normally get the chance to hear our kind of music.

“We’re really happy to be in the final – we thought the other contestants were all really talented so it came as a surprise.”