RADAR ft. Blizzard, The Carnabys, Izzy Bizu, The Lottery Winners, The Kaptivators
22 June / 19:00 / More Info / Buy Tickets
RADAR is a live event born from a collaboration between Music Week, ILUVLIVE and MusicConnex, to showcase the best unsigned and just-signed talent to the UK music industry. With a terrific line-up including Blizzard, The Carnabys, Izzy Bizu, The Lottery Winners and The Kaptivators, all of the artists performing are offering something unique, different and fresh, covering a broad range of musical styles. These could well be tomorrow’s stars! With a wealth of quality artists, RADAR is one of the industry’s favourite nights out.
Blizzard
Blizzard is a Manchester based grime musician and rising star of the UK underground scene. Originally associated with the Mayhem Crew before winning an EA competition that saw him record a professionally edited video that charted at number 1 on Channel U in 2005 when he was just 11, Blizzard followed up his debut success with a number of tracks that again charted on Channel U. After a debut EP, Sooner Than Never, that made a big impact, Blizzard followed up with many more videos on the likes of SBTV and Don’t Flop that saw him exchanging lyrics in a battle against Mark Grist, an English teacher. He has now amassed 5 million YouTube views, emphasising his already considerable credentials, and has reached #18 in the iTunes album chart and #3 in the Hip-Hop charts with his music. 
Not only is he a super skilled and original vocalist, but Blizzard has also found a talent in producing too. The multi-instrumentalist produced the ‘Soundbwoy Killer’ instrumental which was vocalled by grime maestro Wiley in 2011 and since then he has released a five track instrumental EP called ‘Talk Less’ , has picked up BBC Radio 1 and 1 Xtra props and also has his ‘We Love
Grime part 2’ being listed on the station alongside RIO, C4 and Marger. Blizzard then re-invented himself with 2014’s “Kids of the Night,” which saw him moving away from his battle rapping heritage to more daytime friendly version of himself. the tune was picked dup and played all over radio and live shows at Glastonbury, as well as gigs with Jessie-J, Naughty Boy, Emeli Sande and more all followed. Early 2015 brought collaborations with R&B sensation Shakka for the melodic “You Came To Mine” and already the like of MistaJam have put it on heavy radio rotation as well as making it Jam Hot of the week. On top of all this, Blizzard is also an ambassador for the very prominent Diannas anti-bullying trust that helps combat the issue that destroys so many lives in this country. Blizzard has been lorded as one of the greatest talents to come out of Manchester and is now getting the worldwide props he deserves.
The Carnabys
The Carnabys are a fast paced, buzzing, electric, indie-rock five piece hailing from South West London. Formed in in 2011, they are a classic example of talent beyond their years; honing their live craft in pubs, clubs and venues they broke into a wider consciousness in 2012 with London and German festival appearances. Since then they have opened for Bruce Springsteen, Black Crowes, Alabama Shakes, supported Blondie (numerous times), Patti Smith, Imagine Dragons, Palma Violets, AllusonDrugs, StarSailor, The Coronas and more.
Repeat tours over the last 2 years have encompassed the UK, from Scotland to the West Country, regularly selling out their London shows with a UK University tour in March 2015 with Coffee House Sessions. Further afield Italy has met The Carnabys four times so far along with Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, the US and Mexico, with Spain scheduled for late July.
Last year saw The Carnabys play all three days of The Isle of Wight festival and they are now about to headline the Secret Garden stage at IOW this year. Other headline festivals will include Tunnel to Tunnel as well as Into The Wild and the Bingley Music Festival.
Having released their debut album No Money On The Moon in late 2014 on Hard Rock Records, The Carnabys have achieved Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio plays and many more. The Carnabys are going to become one of the new generation of UK bands recognised for delivering powerful, explosive and energetic live shows.
“The Best Support Band We’ve Had In Years” – Debbie Harry, Blondie
 “What an explosive live band, not to be missed” Jim Gellatly, XfM Scotland
“Rock simplicity at its best, boisterous energy mixed with melodic sensibility” Music News
Izzy Bizu
Born to an Ethiopian mother and an English father, Izzy’s rich cultural tapestry has informed her soulful pop soundscape. Growing up on a diet of Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse and Marvin Gaye, Izzy’s delicate acoustica threads those nostalgic funk-and-soul elements with a genuine indie spirit. At just eighteen, South West London native Izzy Bizu was discovered at an ILUVLIVE Open Mic competition. It’s no surprise that she won when she impressed Emeli Sande and Naughty Boy who were amongst her audience. Six months after her discovery, Izzy’s debut EP Coolbeanz went to no. 3 on the itunes R&B and Soul chart and caught the attention of Radio 1 tastemakers Zane Lowe, Gemma Cairney and Huw Stephens, as well as BRIT award winner Sam Smith, who invited Izzy to support him on tour. 
Now signed to Epic/ Sony, Izzy’s first official single ‘Adam & Eve’ is already gaining momentum at radio and her debut album is set to be released later in the year.
The Lottery Winners
Born in Salford and raised on romance, The Lottery Winners blend momentous melodies with wistful and insightful lyrics. “The songs are the most important thing in the world to me,” remarks Thomas Rylance, frontman and songwriting force of the band, “if they’re ever even a tiny fraction as important to other people, I’ll die a very happy man.”
The band have played extensively live, supporting the likes of The Futureheads, Jamie Cullum, The Charlatans and The Enemy, building up a loyal family of fans in the process. The bands first single ‘Elizabeth’, an ode to misappropriated love with a nod to Her Majesty the Queen, released to coincide with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Described by Lauren Laverne as “Adorable”, Hooting and Howling magazine remarked “It’s the sound of Morrissey taking some happy pills and prancing stark naked through a hilly glade, singing of romance”. With such a fertile music scene, the majority of the shows to date have been in Lancashire and its environs, with occasional trips over the Pennines. There’s simply been no need to travel further, but as interest in the band grows and their live reputation spreads, hauls down and up the M6 are becoming inevitable.
Radio has been key to their burgeoning fame. Regular plays on XFM, 6Music and BBC Introducing have been invaluable. And it’s not just their music filling the airwaves, it’s their personalities too. A most refreshing side to The Lottery Winners is their humour – BBC Radio 6music DJ Chris Hawkins remarked that “they’re like the bastard child of Freddy Mercury and Peter Kay”. Though in no way a ‘comedy’ band, their self deprecating and acerbic wit permeate anything they do. The Lottery Winners are quickly establishing themselves as one of the hottest prospects on the scene, and one of the hardest working, fun-loving bands around.
The Kaptivators
The Kaptivators are a Manchester based collective with funk and rhythm in their bones! Their sound is an eclectic mix of hip-hop, soul, electro and dub. Uplifting themes and social commentary form part of their story, the strong live set-up will rock you! Their drummer is currently studying Music Performance at The Manchester College.