Live and Unsigned: Braunton act Ellie Campbell in final

Ellie Campbell writes about her experiences

A teenage songwriter from Devon has made it through to the final of a national competition for unsigned bands and solo artists.

Ellie Campbell, 17, from Braunton, will perform at London's O2 arena in the finals of Live and Unsigned 2011 on 23 July.

Just 64 finalists were chosen from 10,000 UK applicants.

The winning act will be given a recording contract, performing slots at festivals and a UK tour.

Ellie, who sings and plays the acoustic guitar, is one of the 23 finalists in the urban/pop/acoustic category.

She said: "I didn't think I was getting through so I was backstage [when the finalists were announced].

'New and fresh'

"I was totally shaking, it was amazing."

The teenager described her music as "acoustic pop".

She said she wrote about her past experiences, saying, "I try to keep it upbeat and new and fresh".

She said she was nervous about performing at the O2 Arena: "Everyone keeps telling me how many people are going to be there and I say 'stop talking about it'."

She will perform one original song and a cover of Aloe Blacc's I Need a Dollar at the final.

Ms Campbell, who took a coach load of supporters up with her to the regional finals in Portsmouth, said she had been "overwhelmed" with the support she had received locally.

She said she loved performing and would like to pursue a career in music, adding: "This is more about the exposure for me and the experience."

Live and Unsigned describes itself as the UK's largest national music competition for original unsigned acts and bands.