0:00:02 > 0:00:04# If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it... #
0:00:04 > 0:00:05'The human voice stripped bare.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:08# Oh, oh, oh... #
0:00:08 > 0:00:09Hallelujah!
0:00:09 > 0:00:12'I think there's nothing more beautiful.'
0:00:12 > 0:00:13Oh!
0:00:13 > 0:00:16# Standing in a crowded room and I can see your face... #
0:00:16 > 0:00:20'With no instruments or backing, this is singing a cappella style.'
0:00:20 > 0:00:22# Push your arms around me... #
0:00:22 > 0:00:24'Everything is done,
0:00:24 > 0:00:27'the harmonies, the melodies, the bass lines, the drums,'
0:00:27 > 0:00:29everything with the human voice.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I find that incredibly exciting.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Up and down the country...
0:00:34 > 0:00:38ordinary people are making extraordinary music...
0:00:38 > 0:00:39with just their voices.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Now, in a brand-new contest, I'll be helping
0:00:44 > 0:00:48the most promising amateur singing groups become Britain's best.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Great!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Hundreds of gifted groups applied from across the UK,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55each with their own unique sound.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56# Whoo! #
0:00:56 > 0:00:58'And I picked eight.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Yes, yes, yes.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04'Who are pushed to achieve a cappella excellence.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Just be FREE!
0:01:07 > 0:01:08Come on! Let's go.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11I worry that it's not setting the world on fire.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I think you've got your comfort zone. We're well out of it right now.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19Each week, these eight groups will compete to stay in the contest,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23performing live at top venues across the country.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Nervous.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31They'll need to sing to impress a specially selected jury
0:01:31 > 0:01:33of a cappella experts.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Their votes decide who stays...
0:01:35 > 0:01:39I loved it. Great rhythm, natural, freely-produced singing.
0:01:39 > 0:01:40..who goes...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I hated this.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Absolutely hated it.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49..and ultimately who will be crowned my overall winner.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Probably one of the best things I've done in my life.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53If we went through, I would be speechless.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57That audience have been regally entertained.
0:01:57 > 0:02:02You see groups like this excited and ready to go, it makes my blood pump.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04It's going to be so much fun.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Last week, four groups from the south of the UK
0:02:13 > 0:02:15sang to stay in the contest.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18But the jury's votes spelt the end of the line
0:02:18 > 0:02:21for female barber shop act Spinnaker Chorus.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Immensely proud of the girls. Oh, going to cry. Sorry.
0:02:26 > 0:02:27Don't cry, cos we'll all go!
0:02:32 > 0:02:34This week, it's a new heat.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38Four more groups, this time from the northern half of the UK,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42are arriving in Liverpool to begin their battle to stay in the contest.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44I'm very excited about all the groups.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49It's a fantastic range of different styles within a cappella.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53First in the door, YesterYear - a barber shop act who go way back,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58with a humour and camaraderie that shines through in their singing.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Whatever the challenge is, we shall meet it and succeed.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04- Oh? - OOHING
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Won't we, chaps?
0:03:08 > 0:03:12At the other end of the spectrum are teenagers Flight Of The Phoenix,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15who got together just three weeks ago
0:03:15 > 0:03:17and are yet to perform in public.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19I think it might be a bit of a challenge -
0:03:19 > 0:03:21obviously they've had more experience than us.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24They look like they've been together for 25 years or something,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26I don't know. I feel a bit, ooh...
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I feel a bit worried about it, a bit anxious.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31From Birmingham, The Sons Of Pitches,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35a pop a cappella act who dream of going pro.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37# Dum-dum-dum, dum... #
0:03:37 > 0:03:38THEY LAUGH
0:03:38 > 0:03:41We don't want a cappella to be this niche thing
0:03:41 > 0:03:42that only people who do a cappella enjoy.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45We're trying to make it a bit more mainstream.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- We're not looking for world domination.- Yet.- Yet.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52We just want to spread the reputation.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Bringing up the rear and representing the proud tradition
0:03:55 > 0:04:00of university a cappella are Glasgow students Choral Stimulation.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01# Tony's got a head like a basketball
0:04:01 > 0:04:04# Has a head like a basketball. # THEY LAUGH
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Someone once described us as a drinking group
0:04:07 > 0:04:08with a serious singing problem.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11As we just got more into it, the music just got better
0:04:11 > 0:04:12and better and better.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Four groups have arrived today, but at the end of this heat,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19only three will be left standing.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I think there's a great variety - everything from very traditional
0:04:22 > 0:04:27barber shop to bang-up-to-the-minute young kids doing modern a cappella.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29That's what excites me.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32'It's time to set them their first challenge.'
0:04:33 > 0:04:35Showtime.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Hello.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39CHEERING
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Hello!
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Hello and welcome!
0:04:48 > 0:04:49Very exciting.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Right here, right now is where this competition begins.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55You're going to be going head-to-head
0:04:55 > 0:04:57with people that you see across from you today.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02You're all smiling now.
0:05:02 > 0:05:09In three weeks' time, you are going to be performing on this very stage
0:05:09 > 0:05:11in front of 300 people.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17You will each perform one song of my choosing.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Would you like to know what you're going to be singing?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- ALL: Yes! - OK, good.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27YesterYear, you are more of a traditional barber shop outfit,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29but with a cheeky rock and roll glint in your eye,
0:05:29 > 0:05:33so I've got a song for you that I think embodies both spirits.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37MUSIC: Suspicious Minds by Elvis Presley
0:05:37 > 0:05:40# We're caught in a trap... #
0:05:40 > 0:05:41'At this stage,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45'I'm choosing songs that play to each group's vocal style.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48'Elvis' Suspicious Minds is a great fit for YesterYear,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50'a group who like to bring a dash of comedy
0:05:50 > 0:05:52'to old-school barber shop.'
0:05:56 > 0:05:58The grandads of my four groups from the north
0:05:58 > 0:06:02hail from the East Midlands and are led by musical director Martin.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06We choose folk songs, pop tunes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08# Take a long ride on my motorbike... #
0:06:08 > 0:06:10We are an entertainment group.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11That's what we do.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14They've spent the last 25 years
0:06:14 > 0:06:17performing at amateur singing competitions.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Their secret weapon is comedy compere Len.
0:06:20 > 0:06:26The average age of YesterYear is just over 67 years.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30It was a little bit more, but biggish Rob joined,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32so he brought our average age down.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35But our average weight went up.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37THEY LAUGH
0:06:37 > 0:06:40# With suspicious minds... #
0:06:42 > 0:06:43- Good song? - ALL: Yeah!
0:06:43 > 0:06:45- Excited? - ALL: Yes!
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Confident about arranging?
0:06:47 > 0:06:49- ALL: No! - Not exactly.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52We'll work on that. It'll be fine.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55OK, the next group, Choral Stimulation.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56Interesting name.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Would you like to know what your song is?
0:07:00 > 0:07:01THEY AGREE
0:07:01 > 0:07:02MUSIC: Mr Blue Sky by ELO
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Yes! ELO.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13ELO's prog-rock epic Mr Blue Sky should play to this group's talent
0:07:13 > 0:07:14for intricate arrangements.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17# Mr Blue Sky, please tell us why
0:07:17 > 0:07:19# You had to hide away... #
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Good song?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24- It's good.- Absolutely love it. - Really good.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Is it not like nine minutes long?
0:07:26 > 0:07:27It is quite long.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29You might not want to do the extended outro
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- that goes on for two minutes. - That's the best bit!
0:07:31 > 0:07:33We're going to skip straight to that.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35You're not going to go avant-garde jazz?
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Probably stay pretty true to the track,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40cos it's just such a well-written song.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Right, well, good luck, be creative.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Cheers.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Next, Flight Of The Phoenix.- Yeah!
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Wesley, can you do the drill sound?
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Do we want to hear the drill sound?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- ALL: Yeah! - Do the drill sound.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58DRILL BEATBOX
0:08:04 > 0:08:06# Well, I don't know how
0:08:06 > 0:08:08# And I don't know why... #
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Teenagers Flight Of The Phoenix were put together just three weeks ago
0:08:11 > 0:08:14by beatboxer Wes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15I went to college with a load of musicians.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18I thought, "Well, actually, if I get a group together,
0:08:18 > 0:08:19"maybe it might actually work."
0:08:19 > 0:08:21Whilst Wes is the linchpin,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25they're all blessed with individual musical talent.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28They're all amazing singers on their own. Together, they're really good.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29It gives me goose bumps.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33# Will I see someday before the end...? #
0:08:33 > 0:08:37But they're more used to singing with instruments than without.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40# Oh, darling, my heart's on fire. #
0:08:40 > 0:08:41APPLAUSE
0:08:42 > 0:08:44As much as we're friends, we don't know
0:08:44 > 0:08:48if we're going to gel as musicians, so everything could just go wrong.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Flight Of The Phoenix, I've given you a song that is both melodic
0:08:52 > 0:08:56and modern and will give you a chance to develop as performers.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58MUSIC: Counting Stars by OneRepublic
0:08:58 > 0:08:59Tune!
0:09:00 > 0:09:04'I'm hoping this folk-influenced hit by OneRepublic...'
0:09:04 > 0:09:05You know it?
0:09:05 > 0:09:09'..will showcase this group's gifted soloists as well as Wes's
0:09:09 > 0:09:11'skills as a beatboxer.'
0:09:11 > 0:09:14# We'll be counting stars... #
0:09:14 > 0:09:17HE BEATBOXES
0:09:17 > 0:09:18What do we think?
0:09:18 > 0:09:19- Yeah, we like that one. - Yeah?
0:09:19 > 0:09:22You're welcome. Not a daunting choice for you?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- No.- It's one of my favourite songs. - It's one of your favourite songs.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27What is it about that song that you like?
0:09:27 > 0:09:28It's just, like, the tune.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30It's mint.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's mint. I'd agree.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36It's an entertainment song, and this cannot be reserved.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37You've really got to go for it.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41OK, the final group - The Sons Of Pitches.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Hey!
0:09:42 > 0:09:44I think you've got many assets,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48but one of them in particular is your sense of vocal percussion.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50So, should we have a listen?
0:09:50 > 0:09:51MUSIC: Move by Little Mix
0:09:55 > 0:09:59'The Sons Of Pitches' style is modern and playful.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02'Little Mix's move has plenty of scope for the percussion
0:10:02 > 0:10:06'and synth sounds that come naturally to these guys.'
0:10:06 > 0:10:08# Hey, get your back off the wall
0:10:08 > 0:10:10# Don't you get comfortable... #
0:10:10 > 0:10:12- Good song? - Yeah, awesome.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14It's got so much shape - like the build-ups and the drops.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17- It's just... Yeah, perfect for us. - Good.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20I am genuinely very excited to see what you come up with.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Show off what you are able to do.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Best of luck. Thank you very much.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26APPLAUSE
0:10:29 > 0:10:32The groups now just have three weeks before they'll be
0:10:32 > 0:10:35back in Liverpool and singing to stay in the contest.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38The tricky thing with this tune will be keeping it interesting
0:10:38 > 0:10:41the whole way through, because it does just go, "Dum, dum, dum, dum..."
0:10:44 > 0:10:47So there's a really, like, rising bassline.
0:10:47 > 0:10:48I think we can definitely work our magic
0:10:48 > 0:10:50with a bit of Little Mix.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53They all seem to have a wealth of arranging ability,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55which unfortunately we haven't.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59But we'll come up with a novel twist on the song.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Hopefully we won't show our confidence, but really we'll
0:11:02 > 0:11:05be, like, the dark horse of it and really, like, come out of nowhere.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11I'm really excited. I think they're fantastic groups.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12I want to create a wonderful show.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I want this place to really rock with a cappella.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18HE MAKES DRILL SOUNDS
0:11:18 > 0:11:20And that's about as good as my drill sound gets.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Over the course of this contest, I'll be pushing the groups
0:11:26 > 0:11:30to strive for the gold standard set by the genre's leading artists.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35This means success will depend on more than just singing.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40The groups must produce inventive sounds...
0:11:43 > 0:11:45..create imaginative arrangements...
0:11:45 > 0:11:47# Well, my friends, the time has come... #
0:11:47 > 0:11:49..and stage it all with wit, conviction
0:11:49 > 0:11:52and eye-catching choreography.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54# Tsamina mina, eh eh
0:11:54 > 0:11:57# Waka waka, eh eh
0:11:57 > 0:11:59# Tsamina mina zangalewa
0:11:59 > 0:12:01# This time for Africa... #
0:12:06 > 0:12:09In Derbyshire, YesterYear are feeling the pressure
0:12:09 > 0:12:13of pulling this sort of performance together in just three weeks.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15It would normally take us
0:12:15 > 0:12:21about six months to get a song from scratch up to performance-ready.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Make sure you're on the off-beat there.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26We get there in the end. Tortoise and hare, you know.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30As most of the group no longer work,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33they can lavish time on their passion.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37But for some members, like Frank, singing is more than just a hobby.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I went through a bad stage health-wise.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Singing has brought me back, if you like.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47It's given me a hell of a boost.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Frank's love of a cappella kicked in late
0:12:51 > 0:12:56after he was forced to retire aged just 52 due to heart problems.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01'It's been my saviour, really.'
0:13:01 > 0:13:03There's a hell of a camaraderie.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08We sing hard, but we always go for a drink afterwards.
0:13:09 > 0:13:10Ah. It's heaven.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15# Do-do-do-dooo
0:13:15 > 0:13:19# Doo, do-do, doo
0:13:19 > 0:13:22# Doo, doo, doo... #
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Len, YesterYear's oldest member, no longer sings,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29but acts as the group's compere and chief wit.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31# Love you so... #
0:13:31 > 0:13:36I'm 81 years of age, but I don't feel 81 years of age.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42These guys keep me on my toes. We have a laugh.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I have a saying that a day without laughter is a day wasted.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52After a week rehearsing, I'm keen to hear what sort of treatment
0:13:52 > 0:13:55YesterYear have given a classic Elvis track.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57I'll be interested to see how they're doing,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01because they were quite frightened, YesterYear,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04of actually getting hold of a song and making it for themselves.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Surprise.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08CHEERING
0:14:09 > 0:14:12We're hoping that he'll think we've done quite well with it.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Fingers crossed!
0:14:14 > 0:14:15Hello.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- CHEERING - How is everyone?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER - Musically?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23OOHING
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I think we're waiting, really, for a bit of inspiration from you.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27Oh, right, OK.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30The pressure!
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Look, I will do my best. Shall we have a listen?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- # Why can't you see - Dum, dum-dum...
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- # What you're doing to me? - Dum, dum-dum...
0:14:41 > 0:14:49- # When you don't believe a word I say - Dum, dum-dum...
0:14:49 > 0:14:53# We can't go on together
0:14:53 > 0:14:55# With suspicious minds... #
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- QUIETLY:- # With suspicious minds... #
0:14:57 > 0:15:01# And we can't build our dreams
0:15:01 > 0:15:05# On suspicious minds... #
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Well done. Look, it's good scaffolding, I think.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13Very good. You're going to be up against vocal percussionists.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14HE BEATBOXES
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Does anyone beatbox here?
0:15:18 > 0:15:22No. It might be worth considering that you can make a...
0:15:22 > 0:15:23- STACCATO:- # Dum, dum-dum. #
0:15:23 > 0:15:26You're very sort of... I can hear the barber-shopping.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- ELONGATED:- # Dum, dum-dum
0:15:28 > 0:15:30# Dum, dum-dum. #
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Which obliterates everything. You need to think, "I am a bass guitar."
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- STACCATO:- # Dum, dum-dum... # - HE IMITATES DRUM
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- # Dum, dum-dum... # - HE IMITATES DRUM
0:15:38 > 0:15:40And a bit of that is going to go a really long way,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43cos you've suddenly got some high frequency sounds.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48OK, here we go. Ready? One, two, three, and...
0:15:48 > 0:15:50# Dum, dum-dum
0:15:50 > 0:15:51- # Dum, dum-dum - Bara-rampa
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- # Dum, dum-dum - Do, do-doo
0:15:54 > 0:15:55# Dum, dum-dum... #
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Just improvise.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58# Do, do-do, do-do
0:15:58 > 0:16:00# Do-do, do, do... #
0:16:00 > 0:16:01You do that.
0:16:01 > 0:16:07# When you don't believe a word I'm saying... #
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Great!
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I felt like there was more groove that time.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13That's grooviness we get.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Daddy at the disco.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- That's the look.- Thanks.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21I was trying to be kind.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25You're freer than you think you are, so throw away the shackles.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It's thrown a spanner in the works today, making us think differently,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- which we're not used to. - This is vocal a cappella.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35It's a different style, so each one of you is an instrument.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Keep on it, stay on it.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45It's been like a bit of a bombshell, quite honestly.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50He suggested that perhaps we could put some beatbox in it,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and that's a big "No" from me, I'm sorry.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I think they're always used to doing things by the book.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59I don't think that's what this song needs. It needs to be fresh.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01It's vocal a cappella, it's supposed to be fun.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07There's one old habit that I don't mind YesterYear hanging on to.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10# Drinking all night
0:17:10 > 0:17:12# Got into a fight... #
0:17:12 > 0:17:15'The post-rehearsal pint.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20'But, down the pub, group leader Martin drops a bombshell.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23'His daughter is getting married on the same day
0:17:23 > 0:17:25'as the contest performance in Liverpool.'
0:17:26 > 0:17:30You have quite an integral part in the piece, don't you?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Every cog is important to the machine, isn't it?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- Yes.- But you're having to leave your daughter's wedding.
0:17:35 > 0:17:42Yeah, but, you know, she understands. Mrs P, she also understands.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45You say that... She perhaps understands less.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- This is a... - Excuse me, you're married.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52- I get it, I understand. - We don't need to go any further.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Say no more. There's no backup, is there?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- No.- Great.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58I'll be singing.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- You'll be singing. - I think that's against the rules.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08We can do this, people. Teamwork. Come on. Knuckle down, we can do it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10I have faith in us.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14From the oldest, to the youngest and newest group in the contest.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21Flight Of The Phoenix, six teenagers who met at music college in Salford.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23"We'll be counting stars."
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Then it repeats and it goes, "Yeah, we'll be counting."
0:18:26 > 0:18:28# Stars. #
0:18:28 > 0:18:30A cappella is a new musical challenge for them,
0:18:30 > 0:18:35and their first job is to decide who is singing which part.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38I feel quite privileged, actually,
0:18:38 > 0:18:40cos I only thought I was going to do the high bit.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42I came in this morning, "Yeah, you're doing it all."
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I'm like, "OK."
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Newly appointed soloist Cathy lives with her family
0:18:47 > 0:18:50and works part-time at the local burger bar,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53alongside her mum, Amanda.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54Oh, yeah!
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Today, they're shopping for Cathy's performance outfit.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58You trying them on?
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Try them on? No, I'll go.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01You need to try them on.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03I don't like trying them on.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Although Cathy's been singing since she was small...
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- I like it.- Yeah, it's really nice.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15..Liverpool will be the first time her mum's seen her perform on stage.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20I've seen recordings, but she's never actually let me watch her live.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22I'll probably cry.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Please don't cry. It'll make me awkward.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32The mastermind behind newly formed Flight Of The Phoenix
0:19:32 > 0:19:35is 18-year-old beatboxer Wes.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36You all right?!
0:19:36 > 0:19:37You all right?
0:19:37 > 0:19:39I'm good, thank you.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40What's on for tea? I'm starving.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43After his mum and dad separated five years ago,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Wesley ended up living at his Nana Ann's.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47Stick t'kettle on.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Now, it's a home from home.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50Don't break it.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56He had it pretty rough. He was only 13 when his parents split up.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00There was no room for Wesley, so I took him in.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I've just done everything for him, everything I can,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05cos that's what I'm here for.
0:20:05 > 0:20:06Get these in the oven.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11If my nana hadn't been here, I don't... I don't even really know.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Even when I became homeless, this is like my home.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14This is the home place where I was.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18I had my laptop, loads of clothes in bin bags, every day I used to
0:20:18 > 0:20:23sit on this couch and make tunes and block myself out from the world.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Put some drums behind it.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26He just loves his music.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31It gives him something to go forward in his life.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33HE BEATBOXES
0:20:33 > 0:20:36What are you beatboxing to t'bird for?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38HE BEATBOXES
0:20:38 > 0:20:40He drives me mad with the beat-bopping.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- SHE BEATBOXES - Whatever it is.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45SHE BEATBOXES, SHE LAUGHS
0:20:45 > 0:20:47It will beatbox.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51I think Flight Of The Phoenix are the dark horses in this
0:20:51 > 0:20:55because they're very young but they've got bags of potential.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Hello! If it isn't Flight Of The Phoenix.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00How are you? Very good to see you.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Everyone OK?
0:21:02 > 0:21:03THEY AGREE
0:21:03 > 0:21:04What about you girls?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06It's not hit me yet.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08You're in denial.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10OK, wake up.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12I'm really looking forward to this. Let's have a listen.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14HE BEATBOXES
0:21:14 > 0:21:16# Lately I've been
0:21:16 > 0:21:18# I've been losing sleep
0:21:18 > 0:21:23# Dreaming about the things that we could be
0:21:23 > 0:21:25# Yeah, we'll be counting
0:21:26 > 0:21:30# Stars
0:21:31 > 0:21:34# Everything that kills me
0:21:34 > 0:21:37# Makes me feel alive. #
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Hey! Good.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44You really come to life when you sing, doesn't she? It's good.
0:21:44 > 0:21:45My worry with it is
0:21:45 > 0:21:49it's just shakiness about the harmony.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51We've got a lot of tune, a lot of percussion,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53and then the harmony is there, but I'm just searching for it.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Just try those chords, just the chords on their own.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59# Oooh
0:21:59 > 0:22:01# Oooh
0:22:01 > 0:22:02# Oooh
0:22:02 > 0:22:04# Oooh. #
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Yeah. Is that totally together? Is that totally blended?
0:22:08 > 0:22:12Is everyone coming off at the same time? Is everyone in tune?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15You need to be a unit. You need to be like this.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16# Oooh
0:22:16 > 0:22:18# Oooh. #
0:22:18 > 0:22:21If you do that, you can just do it with your eyes.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24That'll make a massive difference. Try it.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25# Oooh
0:22:25 > 0:22:27# Oooh
0:22:27 > 0:22:29# Oooh
0:22:29 > 0:22:30# Oooh. #
0:22:30 > 0:22:31Bit more girl.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34# Oooh
0:22:34 > 0:22:35# Oooh
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- # Oooh... # - There you go. Did you hear that?
0:22:37 > 0:22:38# Oooh. #
0:22:38 > 0:22:40We all took a breath at the same time.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42As soon as you said, "More girl," then it sounded better.
0:22:42 > 0:22:43Yeah, it's called blend.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46If you're listening to the overall sound rather than just yourself,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49then you'll be fine. Good.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Sorry? - HE ATTEMPTS TO BEATBOX
0:22:52 > 0:22:54HE BEATBOXES
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Really weird.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59There's some real moments of thinking,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02"Yes, this has got legs, this is really good."
0:23:02 > 0:23:07We've got great, great little soloists there.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10I just hope they can keep the train on the rails.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14We've got all the parts, it just needs to be together as one.
0:23:14 > 0:23:15Glued together.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17We need to rehearse and rehearse.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19I'm just worried that my band's not going to get to the right
0:23:19 > 0:23:22standard, but I just want to get it 100% perfect.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24That's what I'm hoping for, hopefully.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29Scotland - home of the brave,
0:23:29 > 0:23:33and Glasgow University group Choral Stimulation.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- # Get down on it - Bah-bah-bah
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- # Get down on it - Bah-bah
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- # Get down on it - Bah-bah-bah... #
0:23:39 > 0:23:42The group has a "work hard, play hard" approach.
0:23:42 > 0:23:48# Oh! #
0:23:50 > 0:23:54But, right now, most of them are working harder than they'd like.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56I'm in my final year of study.
0:23:56 > 0:23:57I'm in the middle of my exams.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I had seven this month.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02It's really hard to study and balance it all,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05because Choral Stimulation is such a big part of my life
0:24:05 > 0:24:07that I want to be at the rehearsals
0:24:07 > 0:24:09and then I want to go out for the drinks afterwards.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Obviously that's a lot more appealing than my revision.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16This year, most of us are leaving, so we're just trying to
0:24:16 > 0:24:18squeeze every moment out of it we possibly can.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29Sound-engineering student and Belfast boy Tony
0:24:29 > 0:24:32has been playing guitar and piano since he was a nipper,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36but he's been the group's musical director for less than a year.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39I've never arranged a cappella music prior to this year.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41When I first started doing it,
0:24:41 > 0:24:43I didn't go to college for three weeks.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46Honest to God, I just stayed in
0:24:46 > 0:24:50and figured out how to arrange vocals for ten people.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I love doing it. I really like doing it a lot.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57With a little help from his keyboard for now,
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Tony's been working hard to put together the group's arrangement,
0:25:01 > 0:25:02but progress has been slow.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05How long were you up for last night, then?
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- Four in the morning. I only got the intro bit done.- Eh...
0:25:15 > 0:25:17It's glamorous.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19'Given Tony's appetite for complex arrangements,
0:25:19 > 0:25:24'I can't wait to find out how he's reworked Mr Blue Sky.'
0:25:26 > 0:25:27Hello.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Hello. Hello. How are you? How is it going?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33What are you going to do?
0:25:33 > 0:25:35So I think I said to you we were going to really stick
0:25:35 > 0:25:37to the original as much as we can.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39You did, very sensible plan.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40We're not doing that.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- OK, you've thrown that plan out. - That's been scrapped.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- I think you said no avant-garde jazz.- Yeah?- We've gone jazz.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48OK, I'm fine with jazz.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Cool. I think we said we were going to take the ending out.- Yes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53We're going to start with the ending.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Start with the end. OK, so you've basically...
0:25:55 > 0:25:56I'll just get my coat.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Talk me through your ideas, then.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03So, like I said, we're going to start with the end,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05the big, epic ending.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08# Ah, ah. #
0:26:08 > 0:26:11That'll be nice, so as by the time it gets round
0:26:11 > 0:26:16to the main resolution, we're going to go...avant-garde jazz.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18HE IMITATES DRUM
0:26:19 > 0:26:21OK, I get it.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23# Sun is shining in the sky
0:26:23 > 0:26:27# There ain't a cloud in sight... #
0:26:27 > 0:26:28Nice.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Is it going to hang together and have you got time to pull all
0:26:31 > 0:26:33this off in the rehearsal time as well?
0:26:33 > 0:26:34That remains to be seen.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38You've now got two weeks left before we perform it.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39How many of the group know it?
0:26:41 > 0:26:43The short answer is no-one.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- No.- No, just no-one. - No, it's all in your head.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Tony is really clever and very creative.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I know that they want to show what they can do,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56but you have to balance that with what you can achieve in the time.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59They have got a huge amount of work to do.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01It means I might not sleep much for two nights,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03but that's OK, I'm used to that.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Maybe drink less. MAYBE drink less, I don't know, we'll see.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Suburban Birmingham, home to the Sons Of Pitches.
0:27:16 > 0:27:17I'm looking forward to this.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19They've got a very exciting song, very up-tempo song.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22They're a very slick group, very polished.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28These best buddies began singing together two years ago.
0:27:28 > 0:27:29Messi. No!
0:27:29 > 0:27:33We're all from different musical backgrounds. We've got people...
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Me and Jamie did musical theatre when we were younger.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Joe was in a band a lot. Joe used to sing in church.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Mide played the clarinet.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45HE BEATBOXES
0:27:45 > 0:27:46The idea is just for us
0:27:46 > 0:27:49to do something quite different with a cappella.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53There's things like dubstep and drum and bass and things like that.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56We try and put our own spin on everything.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57# Don't believe me? Just watch
0:27:57 > 0:27:59# Ooh, ooh
0:27:59 > 0:28:01# Uptown funk... #
0:28:01 > 0:28:05They're so bent on success, the three Joes rent a house together
0:28:05 > 0:28:08which doubles up as their rehearsal space.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11I guess we're not normal for guys of our age.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12THEY BABBLE
0:28:12 > 0:28:13We're not lads.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19We're not crazy about going out and getting drunk.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23We have jobs. I'm a teaching assistant at a primary school.
0:28:23 > 0:28:24If you have a knack for something,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27it means you do something really well and you're really good at it.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30'I absolutely love it, but Sons Of Pitches is the priority.'
0:28:30 > 0:28:31This is what we want to do.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33We've kind of all put our lives on hold.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37If we can make it into something where we can live off it,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39then literally we would just be in heaven. It'd be great.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44- Hello.- Hello!
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- How are you doing? - I'm very well, how are you?
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Come on inside. I'm very good. Please come in.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50How has it been going?
0:28:50 > 0:28:52I gave you this song, this Little Mix challenge.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55We think it's going OK. There's a lot of ideas.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Good. I'm excited to hear it.
0:28:57 > 0:28:58TONGUE CLICKS
0:28:58 > 0:29:00# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:00 > 0:29:02# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:02 > 0:29:04# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:04 > 0:29:05# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:05 > 0:29:08# Hey, baby, tell me your name
0:29:08 > 0:29:10# I got a fever for you
0:29:10 > 0:29:12# I just can't explain
0:29:12 > 0:29:14# But there's just one problem
0:29:14 > 0:29:16# I'm a bit old-school
0:29:16 > 0:29:17# When it comes to lovin'
0:29:17 > 0:29:20# I ain't chasing you... #
0:29:20 > 0:29:21Very well done.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Thank you. So far.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Both my excitement and my concern with you
0:29:26 > 0:29:30is that you make a very impressive and exciting sound,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33but that risks just being a lot of clever noises.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I think the whole thing could be softer.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40It felt like it was all pretty much one dynamic.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44I think you'll also find then the harmonies are actually easier,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47because a couple of times you ran into some tuning issues.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Sounds like us. THEY LAUGH
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Just start on, you know, mezzo piano rather than mezzo forte.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56TONGUE CLICKS
0:29:56 > 0:29:57QUIETER: # Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:57 > 0:29:59# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:29:59 > 0:30:00# Mm-mm... # THEY EXHALE
0:30:00 > 0:30:03# Hey, baby, tell me your name
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- # I got a fever for you... # - Don't build up.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- # I just can't explain... # - Keep it.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09# But there's just one problem
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- # I'm a bit old-school... # - There you go.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13# When it comes to lovin'
0:30:13 > 0:30:15# I ain't chasing you
0:30:15 > 0:30:17# Ain't waiting
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- # I'm on a roll... # - Just hold on to it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23# You've got to let yourself go
0:30:23 > 0:30:25# Whoa
0:30:25 > 0:30:28# You know that I've been waiting for you... #
0:30:28 > 0:30:29And I noticed you too.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Good. I mean, I think that can be more extreme then.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33You can really let it go there.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36I just think if you hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on and then...
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Rah! Then suddenly bring it back down.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Dynamics are absolutely the best way to make
0:30:42 > 0:30:43an impact on the audience, I think.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46You've sort of hit the nail on the head in terms of dynamics.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51We have a really bad tendency to just get excited by the song
0:30:51 > 0:30:53and what we're doing arranging-wise.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57You need these moments where you just go, look, actually we can SING.
0:30:57 > 0:30:59I think you can, but I think that you need to work
0:30:59 > 0:31:01three times harder at that stuff.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05I'm quite taken with their sound.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06It's very impressive,
0:31:06 > 0:31:11but it could just sound like a collection of noises.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It needs to be a musical performance.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16I think we have put a lot of work in.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19But I think we've probably got quite a lot more to do.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22It's now one week
0:31:22 > 0:31:25until the groups return to Liverpool's Everyman Theatre
0:31:25 > 0:31:30to perform in front of a live audience and, of course, the jury.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34This carefully selected group cover a range of disciplines within
0:31:34 > 0:31:35modern a cappella.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40Keeping a keen eye on the groups' overall look as well as sound
0:31:40 > 0:31:43is renowned director and performance coach Andrew Panton.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46We want to see staging, we want to see choreography
0:31:46 > 0:31:49and we want to see that wow factor.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53Performer and producer Nick Girard is a leading light
0:31:53 > 0:31:55on the international a cappella scene.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58You really need to have all those voices be gelled, you need to have
0:31:58 > 0:32:03everything sound nice and smooth and really delivered in a unified way.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07They're joined by specialists from the worlds of vocal training,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12musical theatre, pop, gospel and university a cappella.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16In just seven days, this collective expertise will be used
0:32:16 > 0:32:20to decide which groups go through and which act goes home.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28Hungry to impress the jurors and stay in the contest...
0:32:28 > 0:32:31# Ooh, ooh, ooh... #
0:32:31 > 0:32:34..the groups are now cramming in rehearsals.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37# You know that I've been waiting for you... #
0:32:37 > 0:32:39And I noticed you too.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44# No more counting dollars, we'll be counting stars. #
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Up in Glasgow, Tony's worked through the night to ensure
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Choral Stimulation finally have a complete arrangement.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53# Hey, you, with the pretty face... #
0:32:53 > 0:32:54But they're still cutting it fine.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I think it's pretty interesting to listen to,
0:32:57 > 0:32:59but only if we pull it off.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Yeah, I'd say it's pretty tricky compared to what we've done before,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05and we've got even less time to learn it.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13# See how the sun shines brightly?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- # In the city... # - Yeah, so much better.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18'Tony's arrangement is jam-packed
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'with every a cappella trick in the book.'
0:33:21 > 0:33:22# Eh, ah
0:33:22 > 0:33:23# Dah.... #
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Yeah, that can be just a 10% more.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28'But being preoccupied with their arrangement for
0:33:28 > 0:33:32'so long has left Choral Stimulation little time for choreography.'
0:33:32 > 0:33:35# Hey, you with the pretty face
0:33:35 > 0:33:39ALL: # Welcome to the human race
0:33:39 > 0:33:41# Hey there, Mr Blue
0:33:41 > 0:33:43# We're so pleased to....
0:33:43 > 0:33:45- GIRL:- # Hide away for so long
0:33:45 > 0:33:47# So long
0:33:47 > 0:33:49# Ba, bah
0:33:49 > 0:33:50# Ba, ba, ba-ba
0:33:50 > 0:33:51# Ba, bah
0:33:51 > 0:33:52# Ba, ba, ba-ba... #
0:33:52 > 0:33:53It's mental.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Crazy town.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59There's so much going on musically in that bit.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Suddenly everyone's everywhere.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05Look, you're a very strong singer and if you're getting lost,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07then something's wrong.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10'I think they might have just kind of wrecked'
0:34:10 > 0:34:13something really good by overcomplicating the dance moves.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18HE BEATBOXES
0:34:18 > 0:34:21In Salford, Flight Of The Phoenix have more than fancy footwork
0:34:21 > 0:34:23to worry about.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Cathy was running extremely late.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27She didn't get up till two o'clock in the afternoon.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30It's kind of annoying. It's kind of like, "Oh, come on."
0:34:32 > 0:34:36I missed it today because I fell asleep
0:34:36 > 0:34:39because I was really tired because I was on a late shift.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43Hopefully I'll just pick it up.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45With just two days to go until show day,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47I need to get them back on track.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53# Lately I've been I've been losing sleep... #
0:34:53 > 0:34:54I did it wrong.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57OK, good. OK.
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Let's start again.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59# Dah, da-dah. #
0:34:59 > 0:35:00Has that ever happened before?
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- No.- Could it happen when there's 300 people in front of you?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06My advice is get it in your head right before.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10# Baby, I've been I've been praying hard
0:35:10 > 0:35:12# Said no more counting dollars
0:35:12 > 0:35:14# We'll be counting stars
0:35:14 > 0:35:15# Ah
0:35:15 > 0:35:17# Yeah, we'll be counting... #
0:35:17 > 0:35:20HE BEATBOXES
0:35:20 > 0:35:21# I see this life
0:35:21 > 0:35:24# Like a swinging vine... #
0:35:24 > 0:35:26You forgot the "stars".
0:35:26 > 0:35:28Great.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Oh, gosh. Look, I mean, what can I say?
0:35:30 > 0:35:32It doesn't look like you know it.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35Is that fair?
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- Yes, that's fair.- Why?
0:35:38 > 0:35:39I'm not sure.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43You've got to step up the work. The other groups are killing themselves.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47They've given up on their lives to make sure that these are right.
0:35:47 > 0:35:48I'm not getting that vibe from you.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50I'm getting, "Hey, shall we turn up for rehearsal?"
0:35:50 > 0:35:54"Yeah, sorry I'm a bit late." "Oh, hi, everyone."
0:35:54 > 0:35:56You need to crank it up.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58At the moment, in terms of energy,
0:35:58 > 0:36:01you start and then somebody kind of goes...
0:36:02 > 0:36:04And the energy just goes...
0:36:04 > 0:36:07That just goes...round like wildfire.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10It's really critical that you key yourselves up now
0:36:10 > 0:36:14and that we put this sort of terror behind us.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18Fff...
0:36:18 > 0:36:19Ah!
0:36:20 > 0:36:22I just...
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I have never wanted to put an old head on young shoulders
0:36:24 > 0:36:26more than I did in that session.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29I just want to give them everything that I have learnt the hard way.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32I know you can't. Maybe it's...
0:36:32 > 0:36:36I just desperately want, maybe to a fault, I want them to do well.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42While I play teacher with Flight Of The Phoenix, in Birmingham,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45classroom assistant Joe Hinds has brought his fellow
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Sons Of Pitches to work.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Who knew I would be this scared for a group of year threes?
0:36:52 > 0:36:55They're keen to test out their performance in public
0:36:55 > 0:36:57on Mr Hinds' class of eight year olds.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00I reckon these guys are absolutely fine, they're not bothered.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01I'm pretty nervous.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05Yeah, it's going to be interesting. I'm excited to see their reaction.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I think it could be quite silly. I'm looking forward to it.
0:37:10 > 0:37:11CHEERING
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Please give a big cheer for Mr Hinds!
0:37:13 > 0:37:14CHEERING
0:37:17 > 0:37:18TONGUE CLICKS
0:37:18 > 0:37:19# Mm-mm THEY EXHALE
0:37:19 > 0:37:20# Mm-mm THEY EXHALE
0:37:20 > 0:37:22# Hey, baby, tell me your name
0:37:22 > 0:37:25# I got a fever for you
0:37:25 > 0:37:27# I just can't explain
0:37:27 > 0:37:28# But there's just one problem
0:37:28 > 0:37:30# I'm a bit old-school
0:37:30 > 0:37:33# When it comes to lovin'
0:37:33 > 0:37:34# I ain't chasing you... #
0:37:34 > 0:37:35CHEERING
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Thank you so much, Year Three.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41It's really good that we've seen Mr Hinds sing.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44I liked the man that was doing the beatboxing.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45He was amazing.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48KIDS BEATBOX
0:37:48 > 0:37:50See you later, guys. Bye-bye.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51It's a resounding thumbs-up.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57In Manchester, Flight Of The Phoenix are still trying to impress
0:37:57 > 0:37:58a much tougher crowd.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Eyes up, eyes up, eyes up! The song is ending.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04'Me!'
0:38:04 > 0:38:06- # I've been praying hard... # - Yeah!
0:38:06 > 0:38:07# Said no more counting dollars
0:38:07 > 0:38:10# We'll be counting stars
0:38:10 > 0:38:12# We'll be counting... #
0:38:12 > 0:38:13HE BEATBOXES
0:38:13 > 0:38:16# Stars... #
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Yeah, keep that energy up.
0:38:22 > 0:38:23Guys, oh!
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I just want to give you all a kiss. It's lovely. Mwah, mwah, mwah, mwah.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29- Thank you.- You're welcome. You're welcome.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31All right, I'll see you in Liverpool.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33It's a lot better now we've had a session with him.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- Yeah.- He's sorted us out.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37We've never had a performance ever,
0:38:37 > 0:38:41so it's kind of, like, a bit worrying.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43I'm a bit... Stressing out.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44They're on a wing and a prayer, this lot.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48They might pull off a miracle or they might just, you know, implode.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51I don't really know which they're going to do.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59The big day arrives.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04My four northern groups are back to compete against one and other.
0:39:04 > 0:39:05By the end of this evening,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08one of these acts will be leaving the contest for good.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12You have to do everyone.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14I'm not going to be the only one that you do this to.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17I'm really excited. I think it's going to be a great show.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19It's going to be fun.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22It'll be interesting to see which of the groups
0:39:22 > 0:39:24will actually succeed in a show and which fail.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28You know, I know that Choral Stimulation
0:39:28 > 0:39:30is very over-complicated,
0:39:30 > 0:39:33YesterYear is not technically perfect.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Sons Of Pitches is very much a particular kind of sound.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Whether they'll like that in the jury, I don't know.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Flight Of The Phoenix, they're so young, they're so inexperienced.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44They're like the wild-card, I think.
0:39:44 > 0:39:49- You all right?- Hello, everybody. - Hi.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53How are you doing? I've come to wish you all the very best of luck.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56He'll do it. He's my grandson, he will.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59SHE EXHALES
0:39:59 > 0:40:02I'm so glad you're here. I've just not stopped feeling sick all day.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Friends and family have turned up in support from all over the country.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09But YesterYear are a man down.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Group leader Martin is still 100 miles away
0:40:14 > 0:40:16at his daughter's wedding.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Are you on the road?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21'I'm just about to leave, so I'll see you in a couple of hours or so.'
0:40:21 > 0:40:23OK, that's great. Drive carefully.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24'OK, bye.'
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It should take two hours on a good run,
0:40:26 > 0:40:30but we came up yesterday and it took us about three-and-a-half hours.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34So he should have to go about 140mph, I think, to make it on time.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43One hour till curtain-up and the jury arrive.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Above all else, they're looking to be entertained,
0:40:47 > 0:40:51but they'll also be honing in on tuning, blend,
0:40:51 > 0:40:54soloists and vocal percussion.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Vocal percussion, or beatboxing, can be really exciting.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01Adding those other drum-like textures
0:41:01 > 0:41:03can really, really elevate a performance.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06They'll also reward good choreography
0:41:06 > 0:41:10and confident, assured performances that engage the audience.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13It's that look in the eyes that says, "I know who I am.
0:41:13 > 0:41:14"I know why I'm here.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16"And I know what I'm going for."
0:41:16 > 0:41:17Based on what they see tonight,
0:41:17 > 0:41:21the jury will decide which three acts will stay in the contest
0:41:21 > 0:41:23and which group will be going home.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30Helping to make sure that group won't be YesterYear is Martin,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32who's finally made it to Liverpool.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36We've jumped in the car and come straight here.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38- No pudding.- No pudding, even!
0:41:38 > 0:41:39No coffee.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I've abandoned my new husband to come and see Dad perform tonight.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45CHEERING
0:41:53 > 0:41:58Let's hope we can do ourselves justice. Whatever will be will be.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10With the jury in place, it's time to put on a show.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12I'm nervous.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14Scared but excited.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22We're buzzing. Can't wait to get on there and do it.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30We are nervous, but, like, good nerves.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Hopefully it's the right sort of nerves.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- APPLAUSE - Hello, Liverpool!
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Thank you very much.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Are you ready to hear the first of our groups?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:42:47 > 0:42:52All the way from Glasgow, Choral Stimulation.
0:42:52 > 0:42:53Here they are!
0:42:53 > 0:42:55CHEERING
0:43:03 > 0:43:05IMITATING FEEDBACK
0:43:05 > 0:43:06IMITATING WIND BLOWING
0:43:08 > 0:43:09# Dum-dum-dum-dum... #
0:43:09 > 0:43:15Good morning. Today's forecast calls for sunshine.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- GIRLS:- # Ooh, ooh - BOYS:- Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:43:19 > 0:43:21- # Ooh, ooh - Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:43:21 > 0:43:23- # Doh, doh - Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- # Doh, doh - Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:43:26 > 0:43:29- # Do, do, do-do - Doooo
0:43:29 > 0:43:32- # Do, do, do-do - Doooo
0:43:32 > 0:43:36- # Do, do-do-do, do - Doooo
0:43:36 > 0:43:39- # Sun is shining in the sky - Da-dah
0:43:39 > 0:43:42- # There ain't a cloud in sight - Da-dah, da-dah
0:43:42 > 0:43:44- # It's stopped raining - Da-dah
0:43:44 > 0:43:46- # Everybody's in the play - Da-dah, da-dah
0:43:46 > 0:43:47- # And don't you know - Da-dah
0:43:47 > 0:43:50- # It's a beautiful new day - Da-dah, da-dah
0:43:50 > 0:43:52- # Hey, hey, hey - Dah, dah, dah, dah
0:43:52 > 0:43:55- # Running down the avenue - Bah, bah, bah, ba-ba
0:43:55 > 0:43:58- # See how the sun shines brightly - Bah, ba-ba, bah, bah
0:43:58 > 0:43:59- # In this city - Ba-ba
0:43:59 > 0:44:02# On the streets where once was pity... #
0:44:02 > 0:44:06(Going faster than they did in rehearsal.)
0:44:06 > 0:44:07# Hey, hey, hey
0:44:07 > 0:44:08# Bah-dum
0:44:08 > 0:44:10# Hey, you with the pretty face
0:44:10 > 0:44:14# Welcome to the human race
0:44:14 > 0:44:16- GIRLS:- # Creepin' over - Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:44:16 > 0:44:18- # Now his hand is on your... - Dum-dum-dum-dum...
0:44:18 > 0:44:19- # Shoulder... # - LAUGHTER
0:44:19 > 0:44:22- # Never mind, I'll remember you this - Ooh, ooh
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- # I'll you remember you this - Ooh, ooh
0:44:25 > 0:44:27# Hey there, Mr Blue
0:44:27 > 0:44:30# We're so pleased to be with you
0:44:30 > 0:44:32# Look around, see what you do
0:44:32 > 0:44:35- # Everybody smiles at you - Mr Blue Sky
0:44:35 > 0:44:38- # Ba, bah, ba-ba-ba-ba - Ya-ya-ya-ya...
0:44:38 > 0:44:40- # Ba, bah, ba-ba-ba-ba - Ya-ya-ya-ya...
0:44:40 > 0:44:43- # Ba, bah, ba-ba-ba-ba - Ya-ya-ya-ya...
0:44:43 > 0:44:45# Yah
0:44:45 > 0:44:48# Mah... # BEATBOXING
0:44:48 > 0:44:50# Ooh
0:44:50 > 0:44:52- # Mr Blue Sky - Ooh
0:44:52 > 0:44:56- # Please tell us why - Ooh
0:44:56 > 0:45:01- # You had to hide away - Ooh
0:45:01 > 0:45:05- # For so long - Ooh
0:45:05 > 0:45:10- # Where did we go - Ooh
0:45:10 > 0:45:15- # Wrong? - Oooh. #
0:45:15 > 0:45:20CHEERING
0:45:20 > 0:45:21Very good.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30Next up, Flight Of The Phoenix.
0:45:30 > 0:45:31We can do it.
0:45:31 > 0:45:33I'm so nervous for them!
0:45:38 > 0:45:40HE BEATBOXES
0:45:42 > 0:45:46# Lately I've been I've been losing sleep
0:45:46 > 0:45:50# Dreaming about the things that we could be
0:45:50 > 0:45:55# But, baby, I've been I've been praying hard
0:45:55 > 0:45:59# Said no more counting dollars We'll be counting stars
0:45:59 > 0:46:03# Yeah, we'll be counting
0:46:03 > 0:46:09# Stars
0:46:09 > 0:46:11HE BEATBOXES
0:46:11 > 0:46:12# I see this life like a swinging vine
0:46:12 > 0:46:14# Swing my heart across the line
0:46:14 > 0:46:16# In my face is flashing signs
0:46:16 > 0:46:18# Seek it out and ye shall find
0:46:18 > 0:46:20# Old, but I'm not that old
0:46:20 > 0:46:22# Young, but I'm not that bold
0:46:22 > 0:46:23# And I don't think the world is sold
0:46:23 > 0:46:25# On just doing what we're told
0:46:25 > 0:46:29- # I-I-I feel something so right... # - They're getting into it now.
0:46:29 > 0:46:33# Doing the wrong thing
0:46:33 > 0:46:37# And I-I-I-I feel something so wrong
0:46:37 > 0:46:40# Doing the right thing
0:46:40 > 0:46:43# I could lie Could lie, could lie
0:46:43 > 0:46:47# Everything that kills me
0:46:47 > 0:46:48# Makes me feel alive
0:46:48 > 0:46:51# Lately I've been I've been losing sleep
0:46:51 > 0:46:55# Dreaming about the things that we could be
0:46:55 > 0:46:58# But, baby, I've been I've been praying hard
0:46:58 > 0:47:02# Said no more counting dollars We'll be counting stars
0:47:02 > 0:47:05# Yeah, we'll be counting stars
0:47:05 > 0:47:07# Make that money Watch it burn
0:47:07 > 0:47:09# Sing in the river The lessons I learned
0:47:09 > 0:47:10# Take that money Watch it burn
0:47:10 > 0:47:12# Sing in the river The lessons I learned
0:47:12 > 0:47:14# Take that money Watch it burn
0:47:14 > 0:47:16# Sing in the river The lessons I learned
0:47:16 > 0:47:17# Take that money Watch it burn
0:47:17 > 0:47:20# Sing in the river The lessons I learned
0:47:20 > 0:47:25# Everything that kills me
0:47:26 > 0:47:32# Makes me feel alive. #
0:47:32 > 0:47:34CHEERING
0:47:39 > 0:47:41I thought that was pretty good, actually.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43It was definitely the best they have done.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47THEY LAUGH
0:47:47 > 0:47:50- It was good, you know. - Are you crying? Oh!
0:47:50 > 0:47:53THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER
0:47:53 > 0:47:56That was probably one of the best things I've done in my life.
0:47:56 > 0:47:57It was crazy, it was mental.
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Seeing that reaction at the end... Oh, Jesus, it scared me.
0:48:00 > 0:48:02Time for the next act.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07- THEY HUM - Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,
0:48:07 > 0:48:09we are YesterYear.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14Our average age is 67.1 years.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16If we were at home,
0:48:16 > 0:48:19half of these guys would be in bed at this time.
0:48:19 > 0:48:24The other half would be waiting for some medication.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27But here we are with Suspicious Minds.
0:48:30 > 0:48:32CHEERING
0:48:32 > 0:48:33# Dun-da-du-da-dun
0:48:33 > 0:48:36- # Dun-da-du-da-dun - # We're caught in a trap
0:48:36 > 0:48:37# We're caught in a trap
0:48:37 > 0:48:39# Dun-da-du-da-dun
0:48:39 > 0:48:41- # I can't walk out... # - Dodgy start.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43# Dun-da-du-da-dun
0:48:43 > 0:48:48# Because I love you too much, baby
0:48:48 > 0:48:51# Dum-da-dum, din-din-din
0:48:51 > 0:48:55# Why can't you see
0:48:55 > 0:48:59# What you're doing to me
0:48:59 > 0:49:06# When you don't believe a word I say? #
0:49:06 > 0:49:07OK!
0:49:07 > 0:49:10# We can't go on together
0:49:10 > 0:49:13# With suspicious minds
0:49:13 > 0:49:14# Suspicious minds
0:49:14 > 0:49:18# And we can't build our dreams
0:49:18 > 0:49:22# On suspicious minds
0:49:22 > 0:49:23# Ooooooh
0:49:23 > 0:49:28# Oh, let our love survive
0:49:28 > 0:49:32# Oh, dry the tears from your eyes
0:49:33 > 0:49:39# Let's not let a good thing die
0:49:39 > 0:49:45# Well, honey, you know I never lied to you
0:49:45 > 0:49:49- # Oooo-oooh - Oooh
0:49:49 > 0:49:54- # Yeah, yeah - One, two, three, four
0:49:54 > 0:49:58# We're caught in a trap
0:49:58 > 0:50:02# I can't walk out
0:50:02 > 0:50:09# You don't believe a word I say. #
0:50:09 > 0:50:12CHEERING
0:50:18 > 0:50:20It wasn't perfect by any means, but it was charming.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23I felt that the audience wanted them to do well.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28Oh, God. That was mega. Brilliant.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32I think that audience have been regally entertained by...
0:50:32 > 0:50:34CHEERING
0:50:34 > 0:50:37..by some quality singing!
0:50:37 > 0:50:39Ladies and gentlemen, I can't believe it
0:50:39 > 0:50:41but we have come to our final group.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43- AUDIENCE: Aw-w! - I know.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45Sons Of Pitches!
0:50:45 > 0:50:47CHEERING
0:50:49 > 0:50:50Can they nail it?
0:50:55 > 0:50:59HE BEATBOXES
0:50:59 > 0:51:01# Mm-hm THEY EXHALE
0:51:01 > 0:51:03# Mm-hm THEY EXHALE
0:51:03 > 0:51:04# Mm-hm
0:51:04 > 0:51:05- # Hey, baby - Mm-hm
0:51:05 > 0:51:07- # Tell me your name - Mm-hm
0:51:07 > 0:51:09- # I got a fever for you - Mm-hm
0:51:09 > 0:51:11- # I just can't explain - Mm-hm
0:51:11 > 0:51:15# But there's just one problem - I'm a bit old-school
0:51:15 > 0:51:17# When it comes to lovin'
0:51:17 > 0:51:19# I ain't chasing you
0:51:19 > 0:51:22# Ain't waiting
0:51:22 > 0:51:24# I'm on a roll
0:51:24 > 0:51:28# You've got to let yourself go
0:51:28 > 0:51:30# Oh, talk to me
0:51:30 > 0:51:32# You know that I've been waiting for you
0:51:32 > 0:51:34# And I noticed you, too
0:51:34 > 0:51:36# Don't leave me standing all by myself
0:51:36 > 0:51:38# I won't leave you all alone, child
0:51:38 > 0:51:41# Cos I ain't looking at no-one else
0:51:41 > 0:51:43# Oh, baby
0:51:43 > 0:51:46# Hey, get your back off the wall
0:51:46 > 0:51:48# Don't you get comfortable
0:51:48 > 0:51:49# Looking so hot
0:51:49 > 0:51:52# I think that I might fall LAUGHTER
0:51:52 > 0:51:54# Feeling like it's my birthday
0:51:54 > 0:51:56# Like Christmas Day came early
0:51:56 > 0:51:57# Just what I want
0:51:57 > 0:51:59# So when we move, you move
0:51:59 > 0:52:01# Oh, silly
0:52:01 > 0:52:02# Why you afraid?
0:52:02 > 0:52:04# Don't be a big baby
0:52:04 > 0:52:06# Quit playing games
0:52:06 > 0:52:08# And put your arms around me
0:52:08 > 0:52:10# You know what to do
0:52:10 > 0:52:14- # And we can take it down low - HE MIMES ALONG
0:52:14 > 0:52:20# Oh, you know that I've been waiting for you
0:52:20 > 0:52:24# Don't leave me standing all by myself
0:52:24 > 0:52:26# Cos I ain't looking at no-one else
0:52:26 > 0:52:29# Looking at no-one else Looking at no-one
0:52:29 > 0:52:31# Hey, yeah I know that you wanna
0:52:31 > 0:52:33# But you can't cos you gotta stay cool in the corner
0:52:33 > 0:52:34# When the truth is that you wanna move
0:52:34 > 0:52:37- # Truth is that you wanna move - So move
0:52:37 > 0:52:39# I know that you wanna
0:52:39 > 0:52:41# But you can't cos you gotta stay cool in the corner
0:52:41 > 0:52:45# When the truth is that you wanna move
0:52:45 > 0:52:46# Hey! Hey!
0:52:46 > 0:52:47# I'm ready, hey!
0:52:47 > 0:52:49# Girl, come and get me
0:52:49 > 0:52:50# Don't be scared Show me what you do
0:52:50 > 0:52:53# Don't you know a boy like a girl who moves?
0:52:53 > 0:52:55# Hey! Hey! I'm ready, hey!
0:52:55 > 0:52:56# Girl, come and get me
0:52:56 > 0:52:58# Don't be scared, show me what you do
0:52:58 > 0:53:01# Don't you know a boy like a girl who moves? #
0:53:01 > 0:53:03CHEERING
0:53:07 > 0:53:08They really listened.
0:53:08 > 0:53:12They're swotty, they're nerdy and they've worked so hard.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14And that's what you get.
0:53:14 > 0:53:17THEY LAUGH
0:53:17 > 0:53:19Boys!
0:53:21 > 0:53:23- Such a good reaction.- So pleased.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25That was, like, one of the biggest buzzes
0:53:25 > 0:53:27- I've ever experienced in my life. - Yeah.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32Performances over,
0:53:32 > 0:53:36the fate of the groups now rests solely with the jury.
0:53:36 > 0:53:37Choral Stimulation,
0:53:37 > 0:53:40I think these guys had the most sense of narrative,
0:53:40 > 0:53:41which kept us really engaged
0:53:41 > 0:53:44and gunning for them right from the start.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47I think we might have gone a little bit too fast.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49But none of us seemed to notice at the time
0:53:49 > 0:53:51that there was any problems.
0:53:51 > 0:53:54With their choreography, which I actually liked,
0:53:54 > 0:53:59I did wonder if it took away a little bit from their vocals.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01I think the ideas were possibly better
0:54:01 > 0:54:04than the way they were actually realised in the end.
0:54:04 > 0:54:06Flight Of The Phoenix, I think they're great solo singers
0:54:06 > 0:54:09but they haven't quite unlocked what it means
0:54:09 > 0:54:11to sing an a cappella arrangement.
0:54:11 > 0:54:13How to use those great voices.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15This is so scary - thinking that they're in there,
0:54:15 > 0:54:17thinking whether to put us through or not. It's like, "Oh!"
0:54:17 > 0:54:20If they'd spent more time looking at each other, cos when they did it
0:54:20 > 0:54:23sounded excellent, then they would have been matching
0:54:23 > 0:54:25their vowel sounds, which really help that blend come across.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28YesterYear, what's not to love?
0:54:28 > 0:54:30They just pulled the rug out of any preconceptions
0:54:30 > 0:54:32we could have about the way they looked.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36The best critics are our wives and they all stood up at the end!
0:54:36 > 0:54:38To walk out!
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Quite a blocky arrangement, so lots of block chords.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46I don't feel it was as adventurous as it could have been.
0:54:46 > 0:54:47Sons Of Pitches.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51Much more dynamically exciting than some of the others for me.
0:54:51 > 0:54:52They had great use of dynamics.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54Even if we don't go through,
0:54:54 > 0:54:57we can't have any regrets about this round. I'm proud of the boys.
0:54:57 > 0:54:59Proud of the boys.
0:54:59 > 0:55:01I felt like they were executing some great choreography
0:55:01 > 0:55:03and some great singing
0:55:03 > 0:55:05but you could tell that they were thinking about it.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07I think for me it is - which one do I want to
0:55:07 > 0:55:10stick on the turntable and play to my daughter?
0:55:10 > 0:55:13All those groups are full of potential. All of them!
0:55:13 > 0:55:15We can only put three contestants through, so...
0:55:15 > 0:55:17Right, guys, I think it's time to vote.
0:55:17 > 0:55:18OK.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32Ladies, gentlemen, jurors and groups,
0:55:32 > 0:55:35it is time to reveal who will be going through
0:55:35 > 0:55:37and who will sadly be going home.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42For the benefit of the groups,
0:55:42 > 0:55:45I want to point out these results are in no particular order.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48The first group staying in the contest is...
0:55:56 > 0:55:58- The Sons Of Pitches. - CHEERING
0:55:58 > 0:55:59Well done.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06Well done, well done!
0:56:08 > 0:56:11The next group staying in the contest is...
0:56:17 > 0:56:19- YesterYear. - CHEERING
0:56:22 > 0:56:23Well done!
0:56:28 > 0:56:31THEY CHEER AND ALL TALK AT ONCE
0:56:34 > 0:56:37So that leaves just Choral Stimulation
0:56:37 > 0:56:39and Flight Of The Phoenix.
0:56:39 > 0:56:43The jury said that this was an incredibly tough decision.
0:56:43 > 0:56:47But the group that they felt should stay in the contest is...
0:56:56 > 0:56:59- Choral Stimulation. - CHEERING
0:57:08 > 0:57:10That means, Flight Of The Phoenix, I'm sorry,
0:57:10 > 0:57:12we're going to have to say goodbye to you.
0:57:12 > 0:57:16You are immensely talented, fantastic soloists.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18You came up with a great arrangement. Well done.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21- Well done, everyone! - CHEERING
0:57:21 > 0:57:24THEY CHANT
0:57:26 > 0:57:28I'm so excited for what's to come,
0:57:28 > 0:57:31like, our next challenge. Like, bring it on.
0:57:31 > 0:57:32We're just so, so happy.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35I can't even begin to describe how...
0:57:35 > 0:57:39just relieved and elated I feel, at the same time.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41It is going to be hard work over the next few weeks.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43But what the heck? You know, let's do it.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45- Hello.- Hello.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47- Hey, guys, how are you doing? - All right.
0:57:47 > 0:57:52I take my hat off to you because you did something crazy and brave
0:57:52 > 0:57:54with very little experience,
0:57:54 > 0:57:56and pulled off a minor miracle.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59I really saw something exciting in you.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02I thought your vocal was absolutely fantastic at the beginning.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04- Really, really something.- Thank you!
0:58:04 > 0:58:06- It's been fun.- Good.
0:58:06 > 0:58:07- It has been really fun. - Stick at it.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10- We'll be back next year! - See you next year!
0:58:10 > 0:58:12I'll miss them in the contest
0:58:12 > 0:58:17cos they brought something so fun, so energetic...and chaotic.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19But...it wasn't to be.
0:58:21 > 0:58:22Next time...
0:58:22 > 0:58:24Welcome to A Cappella School.
0:58:24 > 0:58:26Blood,
0:58:26 > 0:58:28sweat
0:58:28 > 0:58:29and tears
0:58:29 > 0:58:31as intensive mentoring kicks in.
0:58:31 > 0:58:33No, no, no, that's just not working.
0:58:33 > 0:58:36Just strip it back, sing the bloody song.
0:58:36 > 0:58:38And six groups become five.
0:58:38 > 0:58:40The group staying in the contest is...