FOLLOWING a successful pilot show before Christmas, the Live & Unheard showcase for emerging original music talent returns to Poole next month.

The line-up is headlined by the genre-busting sound of Jack Grace and his live band who will perform songs from his debut EP Polar. Klauss Schnopplejagen, the top hatted, melody and beat looping alter ego of a man known to his mum as Will, and the folky reggae jazzy blues of The Fox & The Owl, complete the characteristically eclectic bill.

Presented by Bournemouth-based studio and music hub Hangover Hill in partnership with Lighthouse, Live & Unheard aims to give local artists a platform to reach new and existing audiences.

“The response has been incredible,” says Hangover Hill’s founder, musician and producer Matt Black. “The bands are thrilled to be able to perform in a prestigious venue to an audience that is there to listen, it represents an important step up for all of them.”

Hangover Hill are inviting bands and artists interested in performing to contact the studio at hangoverhill@gmail.com.

“There are no rules, the music can be any style, all we ask is that it is original and unpublished. There is some fantastic talent in this area and having the opportunity to play at Lighthouse means it can spread its wings. The Sherling Studio is a terrific space – something happens there and people actually listen to the songs, which for many of the bands will be very different from the audiences they play to in pubs and clubs,” adds Matt.

Live & Unheard will return on the first Wednesday of each month starting from February 6