GRAB Final 2023
More than a Talent Show
The Ribble Valley is home to some incredibly talented young people and GRAB has provided the perfect opportunity to showcase this talent both on and off the stage! 16 acts performed over the two semi-finals and 8 of those acts made it through to an amazing final that took place in March. The event was packed with stunning musicianship, impressive vocals, and bags of stage presence. Each of the acts wowed the audiences with some as young as 11 taking to the stage! Our judges were so impressed with the array of talent, the courage shown by the performers and their confidence on stage.
Backstage, performers were encouraging and supportive of one another, dancing along and cheering the loudest for their fellow competitors.
GRAB is so much more than a classic talent show though! It was originally designed to ‘support talent, support community, and support charity’ and 2023’s events certainly did that! As well as supporting young performers and their talents, we also encourage young people from the four local secondary schools who have a passion for the ‘behind the scenes’ of the industry plan, prepare and run the events. The GRAB Forum worked in teams led by staff at the Grand and learnt skills in Event Leading, Marketing, Sound and Lighting, and Hosting. The forum did an incredible job, made new friends, and learnt new skills. It was so great to see the young people flourish and grow in confidence over the course of the project.
The events also raised awareness and funds for ‘Clitheroe Ukrainian Support Project’, ‘Surfer’s Against Sewage’ and ‘The Solomon Project’; three fantastic charities chosen by the Forum.
We were delighted to have GRAB Final judges, Marc and Kiki (aka Kiera Twizelle), performing for us midway through the show. It was a full-circle moment for Kiera, after winning GRAB in 2020 with a group performing the main song from Six the Musical.
It was so much fun to bring young people from our four local schools together to support talent, support community and support charity. A huge congratulations to 2023’s winner, George, who stunned the audience and judges with his saxophone and piano playing abilities!
Thank you to everybody involved with your continued support on this fantastic project!