The return of Idols

“We are also excited about the improved audition process that will allow even more South Africans to become part of Idols. We will visit big cities as well as smaller towns to find South Africa's new Idol.”

This year there is no registration process – come one, come all, prospective Idols simply have to turn up at the five audition venues throughout the country in June and July and sing. Idols is open to all SA citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 as at 22 June 2007. Proof of age, such as ID documents or birth certificates, will be required.

Dates

Auditions for Idols 4 start in Johannesburg on 23 June. Jozi Idols must report to the Standard Bank Arena on Saturday 23 June. Gates open at 9am.

In Cape Town, the auditions start at the River Club in Observatory, on Friday 29 June.

In KwaZulu-Natal, this year the Idols Auditions Roadshow will visit the coastal resort town of Margate, and those auditions will be held at the Main Beach on Thursday 5 July.

Then it's on to Knysna, at the Oakhill School on Tuesday 10 July.

Back in Gauteng, the final audition opportunity for Idols 2007 will be at Supersport Park in Centurion on Wednesday 18 July.

Team of judges

The usual Idols team is back, with Dave Thompson, Randall Abrahams, Gareth Cliff and Mara Louw in the judges' seats, to be kept in check by Idols presenter Colin Moss.

Named You magazine's Most Popular Male Celebrity last year, this season marks Moss' third stint as Idols presenter and he has become synonymous with South African Idols. “I am thrilled to be back,” he says, “especially since our audition rounds this year take us to such picturesque places as Knysna during the Oyster Festival! I can't wait to see the talent that we will unearth.”

Thompson has been an Idols judge since the very first season back in 2002. Currently the director of marketing and A&R at Sony/BMG Records, his career in the music industry started in the retail side back in 1975. “South African Idols has an enviable track record of contributing lasting talent to the South African music scene,” Thompson points out. “I have every confidence that this season will again introduce some exciting new personalities. And apart from enjoying the whole talent search, I also always have great time with my fellow judges and the Idols crew...”

Idols' own “Dr Evil”, Abrahams, is also back with a vengeance for his fourth Idols season. “I suppose it means weeks and weeks of wannabe singers sounding like strangled cats,” he grumbles. “The things I do for my country!” Abrahams has spent most of his career at various radio stations and knows exactly what it takes for an artist to make the hit parade.

5fm personality Gareth Cliff is returning for a third season. “The Idols journey is always a tremendously exciting one and I can't wait to get started. Especially since we're not visiting Port Elizabeth this year!” he jokes.

Louw, one of South Africa's most beloved entertainers, is also back. Louw has been singing since the age of 10 and has graced international stages on numerous occasions, alongside some of the world's top performers. Her ear for perfect pitch and voice technique will separate the wheat from the chaff in this competition. “Apart from God-given talent, it is work ethic and a humble attitude that makes a star,” she says, “and that is what I will be looking for.”

Idols launches on M-Net on 19 August, Sundays at 5.30pm.