Competing Acts

A veteran guitarist with years of rock-and-roll experience behind him, Axel King is entering a new chapter in his career. Moving towards blues rock, he is determined to approach his craft with a renewed sense of purpose and discipline.

Axel's journey has not been without its troubles. After years of a hedonistic rock-and-roll lifestyle, he is now seeking redemption and looking to prove that there is more to his story than his past.

He is joined by The Roses, his long-time backing band — musicians who have been with him through the highs, the lows and everything in between.

Arguably CATAWOL Records' most famous and successful Act, with a career spanning almost fifteen years. A major force in contemporary pop, Bryknii has built her reputation not only through her music, but through her willingness to embrace and pioneer new approaches to production — including her signature use of Auto-Tune.

As one of the label's biggest stars, if not the biggest, Bryknii's place in the competition comes with considerable expectations. But there is one personal rivalry that continues to follow her: her bitter, long-running feud with Saima Gaines.

Cielo Groove are a neo-Latin band whose infectious rhythms and persuasive style have quickly earned them attention.

For the Contest, they join forces with established R&B singer Saima Gaines: an artist perhaps best known for her long-running rivalry with Bryknii.

Despite coming from very different musical worlds, Cielo Groove and Saima found common ground through a mutual respect for each other's styles. The result is an unexpected collaboration that brings together neo-Latin energy and R&B attitude — proving that musical rivalries and genre boundaries don't have to stand in the way of a great partnership.

The Forty Twos are a New York-style barbershop quartet, with one very clear ambition: Broadway. Convinced that they are destined for the stage, they bring theatrical flair and plenty of confidence to every performance.

But don't expect a strictly traditional barbershop sound. The Forty Twos like to experiment, incorporating additional instruments, effects and unexpected production touches into their arrangements. Their music may be rooted in tradition, but their ambitions — much like their sound — are anything but conventional.

As their name suggests, the four left high school behind to pursue their ambitions in music — a decision that ultimately led them to CATAWOL Records.

Now one of CATAWOL's defining Acts, High School Dropout have established themselves as a major force on the label. They also have a particularly close connection to the MODE Family, having previously worked on the soundtrack to The EvilMode Movie.

With their rebellious origins and punk-rock sound, they have plenty to prove — and nothing left to lose.

The Magenta Men are a retro-funk duo with a reputation for electrifying, unpredictable performances. Rather than relying on meticulous rehearsal, the pair prefer to throw themselves into the moment, feeding off the energy of the crowd and never quite knowing what the other will do next.

Their performances have become a playful battle, with each member constantly trying to outdo the other. Beneath the rivalry, however, lies a genuine mutual respect — and it's that combination of competition, chemistry and spontaneity that makes Magenta Men so entertaining to watch.

Soline Bellefort is a celebrated French singer, renowned in her native country for her extraordinary vocal power and commanding stage presence. Already elevated to diva status in France, she arrives at the Finals with the confidence of an artist who knows exactly what she brings to the stage.

Soline is unapologetically herself: she refuses to communicate in English, even when performing for an international audience. Yet language is hardly a barrier when her voice speaks for itself.

With effortless authority and a formidable presence, she has little need to demand attention — she simply commands it.

A rising J-Pop star in her early twenties, already making a name for herself in Japan through her distinctive vocals and work on hit anime series and OVA movies. Despite her growing reputation at home, she remains relatively unknown outside Japan — making Real Figures Don't F.O.L.D. an exciting introduction to Western audiences.

Independent of Japan's traditional idol circuit, SoraNami has forged her own path as an artist, combining the energy and emotion of J-Pop with a distinctly individual identity. And while the stage may be her home for now, her ambitions reach much further: SoraNami dreams of travelling the world and bringing her music with her.

Synth & Son are a father-and-son duo bringing the sounds of 1980s synth-pop into the present day. The pair combine two generations of musical influences to recreate the era's unmistakable electronic sound.

Despite their retro-inspired style, Synth & Son are still at the beginning of their journey, having yet to release their first album. Real Figures Don't F.O.L.D. offers them a chance to introduce their music to a new audience — and perhaps prove that great synth-pop never goes out of style.

Westbound are a trio of Irish-background musicians who have been inseparable since childhood. Now in their early to mid-twenties, the friends have turned that lifelong bond into a successful career in teen pop-rock, building a strong following with their energetic sound and unmistakable chemistry.

Already popular with existing fans, Westbound see Real Figures Don't F.O.L.D. as an opportunity to reach beyond their established audience and introduce their music to an even wider crowd. For this trio, the journey is just beginning.