American presenters agree that those who stand to lose the most are the young, unknown Soviet performers.
Among its significant features were that it gave an opportunity to talented amateurs or unknown performers, with the results decided by an audience vote.
With unknown performers, it is a way of investing in the musicians' futures.
A debut, of course, is not limited to unknown performers.
In this way, the seminar has helped promote dozens of unknown performers who have gone on to commercial success.
The competition is the only festival event designed specifically to showcase unknown or little-known performers.
Established stars continue to sell well, but it is difficult for an unknown new-age performer to find an audience.
The character perhaps remains Martin's best known; she was a relative unknown performer before the series debut.
These two performers, virtually unknown outside Britain, are well worth discovering.
They encouraged new and unknown performers by allowing them to perform after the main acts had gone on.