M-Net has confirmed that auditions for the eighth season of Idols will sound off in February.
The series returns to M-Net and Mzansi Magic in the first half of the year and a four-city audition search has been confirmed.
Auditions start in Joziburg, on Saturday 4 February and wrap in Soweto on Saturday, 25 February. Notably missing from the auditions this year: Polokwane, Limpopo. The city joins Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth as cities who've been there /done that/ got the T-shirt and haven't been invited back.
So what should auditionees do to impress this time round?
This advice from series producer and director Gavin Wratten: “Choose an upbeat song, stand out from the crowd. If you use an instrument, make sure it’s tuned. Let your personality shine through and show the judges that you’re an original talent who can confidently follow in the footsteps of previous Idols."
These are the audition dates and venues, including must-knows:
Venues and Dates:
JohannesburgDate: Saturday, 4 February 2012
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre
DurbanDate: Saturday, 11 February 2012
Venue: Ushaka Marine World
Cape TownDate: Saturday, 18 February 2012
Venue: Grandwest Entertainment World
Kliptown, SowetoDate: Saturday, 25 February 2012
Venue: Walter Sisulu Square
Must-Knows:
Auditions are open to to South African citizens between the ages of 16 and 30.
Those younger than 18 have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all contestants will be asked to present their ID documents at the registration.All registration for the auditions takes place at the venues, on the dates above i.e. you must go on those days if you want to enter. You need to be available to return to the auditions the following day if necessary.
Musical instruments will again be allowed in the audition room.
As per usual, you should arrive as early as possible to get registered as soon as possible.