Heading into the opening night of UNI Music League (UML) 2013, there were inevitably a few nerves floating around. Anxious promoters joined forces with secretly stressed venue managers, while bands and sound engineers added their respective batches of agitation. But if this first event proved anything, it’s that UML has come a long way since the opening round of last year’s competition.

All the participating acts were potential finalists with both quality and entertainment-value oozing out of every pore on show. While the night and crowd are also worthy of praise. The whole event went down without hiccups, the mini-photography exhibition added to the visuals, and Billy Clark on the decks kept the vibes rolling all night.

The four acts that went through, Perplexed Tulip (pictured above), The High Commissioners, Itchy Teeth and James Daubney, are all getting us excited for the quarters already. James Burrows and Martina Matwiejzcuk were also truly outstanding, but only just missed out by a handful of votes.

UNI Music League 2013 runs through to May this year, with the next 3 showcase events to be hosted at PROUD Galleries in Camden every Tuesday. For more information, head to http://unimusicleague.com/