Thatcham songstress in national talent contest

One step away from Open Mic UK final

A THATCHAM singer/songwriter is one step away from the final in a nationwide talent search.

Former Kennet School pupil Sophy McGivern is through to the live semi-final of the Open Mic UK Competition. The contest is the biggest search for unsigned artists in the UK and attended by music industry executives.

In the regional final, Sophy performed one of her own songs, playing piano in front of a capacity audience at London’s renowned music venue Dingwalls on October 4.

More than 10,000 people auditioned and Sophy was one of five from the 25 regional finalists to progress to the next round.

Sophy said: “I’m really pleased to have got this far, especially with one of my own songs.”

The 22-year-old recently announced that her debut single Lasso would be released tomorrow (Friday).

Sophy said the single was about a past relationship and love, how complicated it was and about “putting your neck on the line for someone you love”.

Lasso will be available to download on iTunes and the music video will be available on Sophy’s YouTube channel.

The semi-final of Open Mic UK is being held at the Beck Theatre in London on November 22.

Sophy has a limited number of tickets (priced at £10) and supporters can contact her through her website www.sophy mcgivern.com

After leaving Kennet School in 2011, Sophy achieved a first class degree in commercial music in 2014.

She has been entertaining since she was five years old, when she sang on the kitchen step and entertained friends and family at parties, who had offered her a lot of support.

Sophy, who has been the lead singer and songwriter in several bands, launched her solo career last year.