Pop-punk band Autumn Fires, featuring University of Westminster Commercial Music Performance BMus, now known as Music Production, Performance and Business BA Honours, alumnus Neil Dowd on bass, has won The Deal, a prestigious competition run by Kerrang! Radio and Marshall Records to spotlight emerging rock talent across the UK.
The high-profile competition is run in collaboration between the alternative music station Kerrang! Radio and amplifier brand Marshall. The contest offers unsigned bands the opportunity to gain national exposure, professional support and a chance to join the Marshall Records roster. Known for its rigorous selection process and influential judging panel, including representatives from Marshall, Download Festival, Live Nation and Kerrang! Radio presenters, the competition has become a launchpad for emerging bands to gain visibility and take the next step in their professional music careers.
This achievement gives the band the opportunity to record an Extended Play (EP) at Marshall Records' studios this summer, which will also be promoted by the label. Autumn Fires will also have the prestigious honour of opening The Avalanche Stage at Download Festival on 14 June and they will receive on-air plays on Kerrang! Radio’s airwaves. Additionally, the band will have a monthly consultation with Future History Management, the team behind artists such as Sleep Token, Holding Absence and Those Damn Crows, on how to make the most of this unique opportunity.
In association with Worn Out, Marshall Records and Kerrang! Radio also hosted The Deal concert on 20 May at The Old Blue Last in east London. Headlining was last year’s The Deal winners, Mallavora, with Autumn Fires joining them as the special guests.
Autumn Fires are a five-piece pop-punk band hailing from Milton Keynes and North London. Formed in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown, the band quickly made a name for themselves in the pop-punk and alternative music scenes. Their energetic sound, characterised by strong female vocals, dynamic songwriting and honest lyrics, has resonated with audiences both in the UK and internationally.
About winning the competition, Neil Dowd, bass player in Autumn Fires, said: “I speak for myself and every member of the band when I say that winning Kerrang! Radio’s The Deal competition is nothing short of a dream come true. Growing up, each of us looked up to Kerrang! as the place to discover new music, discovering many of the bands that now shape our music taste through their magazines and radio shows. For us to now be recognised and celebrated by them is an incredible full circle moment for all of us and we want to thank every fan, friend or family member who has supported and believed in us. None of this would be happening without them.”
This achievement directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education and 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Music courses at the University of Westminster.
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