The Voice: Budding performers flock to Wolverhampton for auditions - in pictures
They came in their plenty and gave it their all – proving once more the Black Country has most certainly got a voice.
Hopefuls flocked to The Cuban Exchange in Wolverhampton in a bid to impress talent scouts from ITV's The Voice.
A total of 17 acts performed their best and most polished songs ready to secure a spot at the next audition stages.
Event organiser Bash Chamberlain said: "We had a full range of different ages and different abilities.
"Look at Megan Reece in 2016 when she got really far on The Voice – I think that has inspired a lot of other people to have a go.
"I have been working in live music for 10 years and I have seen some great acts who are working professionally week in and week out now entertaining people on a regular basis.
"The Voice will attract anywhere but fortunately they do their homework and obviously look online and see where there are credible open mic's – it is well advertised here every Wednesday.
"In the Black Country as a whole the music scene is amazing and thriving."
One of the many to take to the stage was single mother Siobhan Carter, 28, from Wolverhampton, who has been singing since the age of 13.
The B&M customer service supervisor performed a rendition of Christina Aguilera's Say Something – and under the close watchful eye of the talent scouts.
Ms Carter said: "It was the first time I have ever done anything like this so it was a bit nerve-racking.
"I was doing it for my daughter Tahlia – she is nearly nine-years-old and she is really passionate about my singing and really proud of me."
Another hoping to impress the scouts was David Evans, 20, from Wombourne – whose sister Katie, 19, also performed.
The Stourbridge College music performance student gave his all in a performance of Alex Clare's Too Close.
Mr Evans said: "I have been singing for as long as I can remember really.
"It started off when I was younger and we used to go on holidays and do karaoke in bars.
"The people that are on The Voice like Tom Jones – he is a massive iconic figure in music for me. People like him and Stevie Wonder, and a lot of the old golden artists they are a massive inspiration in music for me.
"I would love to do it again and I love performing. Performing is just like second nature to me now. The audience was great."
It comes as last year's auditions at The Royal London in Wolverhampton saw ITV scouts ask eight out of 12 of those giving it their all to the next stage in Birmingham.
