Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell Join Tony Visconti’s ANCHOR Jury At Reeperbahn Festival

This year's ANCHOR jury (from left):
BigLife Management, Netti Hurley, Joey James, Ed Cooke, Adam von Mack – This year’s ANCHOR jury (from left):
Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell, Tayla Parx, Jacob Banks, Yvonne Catterfeld and jury president Tony Visconti.

The makers of Reeperbahn Festival have announced this year’s ANCHOR Award jury, which consists of Emeli Sandé, Tom Odell and Jacob Banks, Tayla Parx, Yvonne Catterfeld and jury president Tony Visconti.

They are tasked with choosing a winner from six finalists: singer-songwriter Florence Arman, originally from the UK, currently residing in Austria, May The Muse from Germany, who span multiple genres, from R’N’B to soul and pop, Yard Act, the latest post punk sensation from the UK, genre-defying London-trio PVA, Lie Ning from Germany, whose soul-pop delivers a message of positivity ad empathy, as well as OSKA from Austria, a songwriter blending melancholic pop with soul and folk elements. 
The acts will be performing in Hamburg, Sept. 23-24, observed closely by the jury panel.
The  ANCHOR 2021 winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the St. Pauli Theater on Saturday, Sept. 25. Previous ANCHOR contenders include Shame (GBR), Jade Bird (GBR), Alice Merton (DEU), Celeste (GBR) and ÄTNA (GER).
“After some jury members had to take part remotely from New York last year due to the pandemic, this year the ANCHOR returns as an in-person event, with all jurors present live on site at Reeperbahn Festival,” the jury announcement states.
The 16th edition of Reeperbahn Festival will go down as a hybrid edition, Sept. 22-25, in Hamburg, Germany. Details about the capacity of the event both for conference delegates and festival visitors are going to be published closer to the date, depending on the epidemiological situation. 
James Smith of Yard Act, one of this year
Lorne Thomson/Redferns – James Smith of Yard Act, one of this year
The performance took place at Standon Calling 2021, England.

“Alterations and changes to the program and location arrangements made necessary by the ongoing pandemic are possible and even likely. We will of course keep you updated with more detailed information over the next couple of months,” organizers state. 

“Reeperbahn Festival’s ANCHOR award has proven itself a valuable and outstanding opportunity for new talent to get recognized — not only by an ever-prominent jury but also within the whole music industry. I’m very proud that I’m part of this year’s jury and really look forward to getting overwhelmed by new and exciting bands and artists!,” commented Emeli Sandé.
Tom Odell added, “I’m absolutely honoured to participate in this year’s ANCHOR jury. The pandemic has made it difficult for up-and-coming acts to play live, grow their audiences from the grassroots and make themselves heard, so awards like ANCHOR are more important than ever as they enable incredible new acts to showcase their talent.”
About the ANCHOR 2021 Jury:
Since the release of her debut album “Our Version Of Events” in 2012, Emeli Sandé (GBR) has become not just one of the most successful singer-songwriters in her home country, but also an important voice for social justice. Alongside numerous No. 1 hits and four BRIT Awards, the artist was given a knighthood (MBE) in 2018 for her services to music. 
Nigerian-born, London-based Jacob Banks (GBR) is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who combines soul and r’n’b with electro and alternative sounds to create his very own sound cosmos. His debut album “Village” from 2018 took him on sold-out tours around the world and onto the stages of the biggest festivals and TV shows. His EP “For My Friends” followed this year. 
Whether performing live on stage, behind the scenes in the studio or in front of the camera: Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and actress Tayla Parx (USA) excels at switching perspectives. Her songs have featured on the albums or singles of Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Anderson .Paak, Janelle Monáe, Khalid and Normani, so it’s no surprise that in 2019, with her hits for Ariana Grande and Panic! At The Disco, she became the first songwriter to achieve three simultaneous top-ten hits on the US Billboard charts. 
Singer-songwriter Tom Odell (GBR) is also no stranger to platinum-selling records and BRIT awards. The Ivor Novello Award winner is a master at turning his feelings and thoughts into universal messages in his songs, which speak from the soul to an audience of millions, as proved by his current album, “Monster”. 
Singer and actress Yvonne Catterfeld (GER) is a true all-round talent on the German entertainment scene: her seven albums released so far have hit the top of the charts and some of have gone platinum or gold, while she has also landed several awards for her film and TV roles. And she definitely has the expertise needed for the ANCHOR jury due to having studied jazz and popular music, plus being a regular juror on the popular TV series “The Voice Of Germany”.
Producer legend Tony Visconti (USA) will bring his warm and unifying style to the role of Jury President again this year, as “the expert’s expert”, respected by everyone.