BASINGSTOKE boy band Concept have made it through the first round of auditions for the X Factor, after impressing judges with their rendition of Labrinth’s Earthquake.
The Gazette has been following the group since they first started three-and-a-half-years ago, when they were all students at Queen Mary’s College.
Below is a timeline of our stories, showing Concept’s rise to success from starting out, selling out The Haymarket, building their followers on Twitter up to 89,0000 and their audition on the X Factor.
*See this Thursday's Gazette for an interview with the Concept lads - Karim Newton, Matt Goodenough, Scott Dicks, Nathan Gittens and Ben Selley - following their successful X Factor audition.
Show your support for Concept by leaving messages for the boys using the comments facility below.
December 2011
The Gazette published an article about Concept forming as a new boy band when they were just 17-year-old students at QMC. Basingstoke boy band have One Direction connection.
February 2012
Concept were the stars of a charity concert in Basingstoke in February 2012 to raise money for Popley Spotlight Centre in Shakespeare Road. Concept are stars of charity show.
July 2012
The Concept boys showed their support for charity in July 2012 when they played in a charity football tournament for Out of the Blue. Boy band take on former Reading FC players.
March 2013
Concept announced they would perform in Basingstoke at The Haymarket in March of 2013. Basingstoke boy band to perform first headline hometown gig.
March 2013
Last year we ran an article after Concept sold out their first hometown headline gig at The Haymarket in just six days. Boy band sell hometown gig in six days
April 2013
The Gazette reviewed Concept's sell-out show at The Haymarket in April, and said: "The audience enjoyed an energetic, fun and extremely professional performance, from five very talented individuals. Not only do Concept sing in perfect harmony, they body pop, rap, play the guitar and interact with their audience like they have been doing this for years." Read the full review here: Concept.docx
April 2013
In April The Gazette interviewed the Concept boys following their sell-out gig at The Haymarket. Concept member Ben Selley said at the time: “At this point, anything is possible. We have worked so hard to get here.” Interview with Concept.
October 2013
Their sell-out show at The Haymarket was such a success, in October Concept announced they would return the following year for two nights. Concept to return to Haymarket.
November 2013
Concept toured secondary schools last year, performing to students and talking about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The Gazette caught up with them during a visit to The Costello School, in Basingstoke. Boy band visit Basingstoke school.
January 2014
A review was published on The Gazette's website following Concept's second show at The Haymarket. Review: Concept The Haymarket.
February 2014
Earlier this year, Concept's Ben Selley was included in a list of 20 famous people with connections to the Basingstoke area. 20 famous people with links to the Basingstoke area.
February 2014
Concept performed to screaming fans at Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College in February this year, as part of their schools tour to talk about the dangers of smoking, drinking alcohol and taking drugs. Boy band Concept speak to schoolchildren.
August 2014
And finally, on Sunday, The Gazette reported how Concept had made it through the first round of auditions for the X Factor. Basingstoke boy band through X Factor auditions.
You can watch their audition on Sunday night's show below
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