Amy Holford, 21, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in North East England, is a self-taught acoustic guitarist and female vocalist. Managed by Thru The Mill, she has gone from strength to strength in 2012, playing on the same stage as The Fall (Cult Festival) and also appeared on the UMT Emerging Stage at Evolution Festival on her birthday, 4th June. The sweet, innocent-looking young lady is recognised by many on the local music scene as having a strong, confident voice - something which is undoubtedly a product of writing her own material. Quotes: ‘It’s like someone took the musicality, sweetness and lyrical ability of Joni Mitchell, stuck them in a pot with the voice of Etta James, popped it in the oven and cooked an Amy Holford.’ Hannah D’Arcy on Cult Festival for NARC Magazine ‘The biggest find of the night however, was opener Amy Holford. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a pitch-perfect voice, Amy brought the room to silence. Recalling artists like… Eva Cassidy, it’s hard to believe such a powerful voice could come out of such a dainty little person. I haven’t seen many singers that can hold a room’s undivided attention singing completely unaccompanied. Go see her for yourself,’ on OF/B, Kenny Sanger ‘…Her voice was absolutely breathtaking. Unbelievably powerful…the passion was unmistakable in her voice. She decided to sing her last song acapella, a cover of Wayfaring Stranger… it was exceptional and well received by the crowd. If you get the chance to hear this girl sing, do so!’ on OF/B, Karen Burgess. ’..A voice to break hearts. She ended her set with an a cappella version of Wayfaring Stranger. It brought the room to a standstill and gave me goosebumps right up my back. That’s a raw talent right there.’ Matt Stalker, Fables, OF/B.