PURE 107.8 FM
STOCKPORT’S Radio Station Pure 107.8FM crowned Liam McClair as Stockport’s Finest 2016 after he received the most votes in Pure’s annual competition to find the best local musical talent. Stockport’s Drive Home presenter Paul Holloway explains more.
The quality of the acts in this year’s grand final was once again very high. We received hundreds of votes, with only 13 votes separating first and last place after we carefully checked for duplicate votes.
Liam, finally triumphed with just short of 22 per cent of the votes and by just one single vote.
We’ll be getting Liam in soon to celebrate with us here at Pure. He told us: “It’s great to have been voted for this award, it’s really ace to know people have taken the time to vote to further my music.”
Liam’s dad Brian found fame as a striker for Manchester United, Celtic and Scotland.
Now the former Cheadle Hulme School pupil is making a name for himself. He is a highly acclaimed folk pop singer songwriter who has supported Echo and The Bunnymen and Newton Faulkner.
Thanks to all five acts for entering and flying the flag for Stockport music.
This year’s other grand finalists were Cordeliers, Kashmere, Sally Caitlin and Templars.
Looking back over the years we have a growing list of acts who have been in the competition and then gone on to establish themselves with solid careers.
The Dutch Uncles and JJ Rosa both entered in the past. Tom and Josh from Blossoms also took part when playing in previous bands, as did Rory Wynne who will be supporting them at The Sound of The Summer gig in Castlefields this summer.
None of the acts mentioned above won, so there is plenty of encouragement for the other finalists that they can establish themselves with a successful musical career. We’ve also helped previous winners including Mohawk Radio and The Hayes Sisters to boost their careers.
As part of his prize, Liam has won two days at AStar Studios in Heywood (owned by Mercury Prize nominated producer Andy Ross) to record a single. All the other finalists have been offered £100 discount off studio time.
Thanks to all the acts who entered and everybody who voted.