Eight bands made it through to play at the Godiva Festival, and it was Sun, Zoom, Spark who won the G Factor competition and a chance to join Super Furry Animals on the main stage The live final took place on Thursday, 24 May in Priory Place, Coventry (outside the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ studios), from 5pm onwards. All eight final bands played and the winner was decided by 50% judges vote and 50% public vote. All eight bands played blinding sets and it was extremely close between the top three. Men In Caves finished third, DbMA second, with Sun, Zoom Spark taking the top spot. We featured all eight bands on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Coventry & Warwickshire during the voting period. Liz Kershaw spoke to a superfan on her breakfast programme each day between 7-10am. On our Evening Show, Monday to Thursday 7-10pm we interviewed each of the final eight bands.Ìý The final eight DbMA Lineup: Andy Beglin (Vocals), Paul Hartry (Guitar / Backing Vocals), Scott Parkes (Guitar / Backing Vocals), Dave Medforth (Keyboards / Synthesizer), Dan Walker (Bass), Chris Hartry (Drums)
Coventry six-piece DbMA are the only one of last year's eight finalists to make it two years in a row. They formed in 2005 out of the band Four Kings and came third in the 2006 G Factor competition. Gigging regularly throughout the region, the band have also appeared at Liverpool's Cavern Club. Members of the band have played with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in London’s Royal Festival Hall and appeared at Athfest in Georgia, USA - organised by members of REM and The B52s. Possessing great hooks, epic melodies and the soaring vocals of frontman Andy Beglin, DbMA's psychedelic progressive rock is guaranteed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. ---
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Men In Caves Lineup: Tom Brindle (Vocals / Guitars), Ross More (Bass / Vocals), Pete Canning (Drums / Vocals)
Leamington/Coventry trio Men In Caves have been together since early 2005. They are a band with unusual jobs for aspiring rock gods - Tom is an archeologist and Pete is a scientist. Possessing a grungy edge and even a jazz influence, Men In CavesÌý have recorded two EPs, the latest of which, Lost At Sea, was produced at Moonbase Studios and released late last year. Men In Caves were featured as ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Coventry & Warwickshire Band of The Month earlier this year and their live show is full of style, energy and most importantly - great songs. ---
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Sun Zoom Spark Lineup: Sam Kendall (Guitar), Reid Currie (Vocals / Guitar) Chris Dewey (Bass / Backing Vocals), Ryan Everey (Guitars / Backing Vocals), Ben Gibbs (Drums)
With members hailing from Coundon, Wyken, Earlsdon and Allesley Village - Sun Zoom Spark are 100% Cov. Named after a song by Captain Beefheart, the five-piece play a distinctive brand of derranged, mesmerising psychedelia, augmented by the rasping vocals of Reid Currie. Formerly known as Spotlight Kid, the band originally formed in 2002. The addition of Ryan Everey on guitar and a name change has given the group fresh impetus that has seen them recently spend time in Moonbase Studios recording new material. Sun Zoom Spark stormed through their heat at the Phoenix, winning both the public and judge vote. ---
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The Crooks Lineup: John Rafferty (Vocals), Mark Rigby (Guitar), Leigh Cunningham (Bass), John Hogg (Keys), Joel Laight (Drums)
Coventry-based band The Crooks have been together for just over a year. They fuse Sixties’ honkytonk, dirty guitar riffs and an electronic underbelly. Live their raw and aggressive keyboard-driven sound is augmented with the confidence and swagger of gravel-voiced frontman Raff to deliver a intense wall of sound. The band’s debut three-track EP, Fuel for the Fool was released last year. They are in the process of recording a follow-up which will include live favourite Whiskey. Support slots have included opening for The View, Tom Hingley from the Inspiral Carpets and the legendary Bez from the Happy Mondays. The Crooks were one of only two bands to achieve a perfect score in the heats, getting top marks from judges and the public at the Nag's Head in Nuneaton. ---
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The Carter Manoeuvre Lineup: James Ellis (Vocals / Guitar), Tom Grundy (Guitar / Hammond Synth/ Backing Vocals), Stuart Knight (Drums), James Turrell (Bass / Backing Vocals)
The Carter Manoeuvre are from Leamington and have been in their present lineup for just over six months, though James and Tom have played in bands together for several years. In that short time they've packed in well over 40 gigs including support slots with The Infidels, Captain and The Race and cite their favourite local venues as the Colly in Coventry and Leamington's Jug and Jester. Currently recording new material, The Carter Manoeuvre have achieved a lot in a short space of time and should go from strength to strength as their sound develops. ---
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Little Girl Screaming Lineup: Theresa Attwood (Vocals), Chris Kendal (Guitar), Christian Pluska (Bass), Kris Leedham (Drums)
A powerful female fronted quartet, Little Girl Screaming hail from Coventry, with guitarist Chris being the sole member from Nuneaton. Singer Theresa and guitarist Chris have been together in the band for ten years, since forming through an advert in the now sadly closed Spin-a-Disc in 1997. The band has had many members over their decade together, with bassist Christian leaving and rejoining the group and drummer Kris being part of the band for around nine months. After playing their afternoon heat at the Nag's Head in Nuneaton, the band rushed down to Coventry to play that evening at the Golden Cross. Little Girl Screaming's music has been used on Channel 4 and the Extreme Sports Channel, as well as picking up airplay from Radio 2's Dermot O'Leary. After ten years together the band are delighted to get a slot at the tenth Godiva Festival and aim to put on a great show in Memorial Park. ---
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The Hearing Lineup: Richard Gardner (Vocals / Guitar), Paul Bratby (Guitar), Matthew Blackshaw (bass), Ash Hannis (Drums)
The Hearing are a noisy musical collective from Coventry who have just finished putting the final touches to their debut mini-album which will be released on BHBB Records. The band have been together for three years, with drummer Ash joining just three months ago. The HearingÌýare a largely instrumental band who create dense, layered post-rock soundscapes. They've received airplay and praise from Radio 1's Steve Lamacq as well as favourable reviews from The Fly, Rocksound and NME magazines. Having already played with the likes of Kasabian and Forward Russia!, next month sees The Hearing play support slots with Do Make Say Think, Six By Seven and Seafood. ---
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Jamson's Nook Lineup: Ben Wainwright (Vocals/ Guitars), Tim Ramsbottom (Bass / Percussion), Karen Milne (Drums / Percussion), Vince Vega (Decks / Percussion / Vocals)
Taking their name from Jack Kerouac's seminal novel On The Road, Jamson's Nook play a distinctive brand of groove-laden latin electronic indie funk. They have recently released an EP entitled Songs For Kofi, which is their first recording as a four-piece with the inclusion of turntablist Vince. The Jamson's Nook sound contains latin rhythms, smooth vocals, scratching, razor sharp drumming and funky bass. They are a unique band with diverse influences and have a one-of-a-kind style. ---
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ONLINE AND TEXT VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED *All photos courtesy of Annie @ AMC Photographics* | 
