Leo wins final of the Factory

Leo Robinson will play on the main stage at this year's Northampton Music Festival after winning the final of The Factory at the Roadmender on Saturday.
Leo RobinsonLeo Robinson
Leo Robinson

The rapper saw off competition from six other acts to take the top spot of the annual contest which seeks to champion young talent from across the county.

Robinson joined Seafarer, Robyn Wilson, James Pitman, Y-Fi, Lake Acacia and Victoria Rose who had all made it through last year’s heats and a semi-final in February.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All performed on the venue’s main stage before a winner was chosen by a panel of judges, with audience members also casting votes at the end of the night which helped contribute to the overall decision.

Speaking shortly after being announced as this year’s winner, Robinson said: “It feels amazing to have won. I’ve been trying for three or four years to win this competition.

“The first two years, I didn’t make it to the finals so to be here now is amazing and also to be the only rap act here and to have won.

“I was part of the Northampton Music Festival last year on the Introducing stage and now I’ll be performing on the main stage. My ambition was to be on that stage in three years and I’ve done it quicker than I hoped.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Robinson is working on a new EP with his DJ Charlie Borthwick, who performed with him at the Roadmender.

The Factory is hosted by Northampton Music 365. It was started by Rotary Becket in 2004 and was formerly known as the Y Factor.

Project director Jo Burns-Russell said: “It was great to see so many incredibly talented young people perform. The professionalism on show was amazing.

“Leo is a hugely deserving winner. What’s great is that he’s been involved for three or four years now.”

Second place went to Y-Fi with Victoria Rose taking third.

Project manager Yoshe Watson said: “All the bands who performed were excellent, the way they have worked together and the way they have worked with us and developed through the showcases.”