Battle of the Bands

On Tuesday 24th of May, I was fortunate enough to attend this brilliant event, staged by the music students of our very own Blackpool Sixth Form in the Holland music room. Over the course of the night I met with parents, judges and students and even ended up sitting in the waiting room and feeling like a music student!

Before the first band set up, Matt Jones, teacher of performing arts, took centre stage and formally introduced the eager crowd to the nights events. 3 judges who would score based on their musical skill, stage presence and audience interaction. Matt also told the audience who these 3 judges were. Kerry Kirkwood- Deputy head of our college. Mr. Rapp- a music teacher with the best name for his job, visiting from St. Aidans high school. And finally John Robb- A T.V. personality, author, music journalist AND singer!

As if that wasn't enough, Matt told us that 2 local high schools, Palatine and Fleetwood, were supporting the event and also performing at the beginning, before our students, and at the end, after our students.

The supporting acts performed valiantly and really warmed up the crowd for when the real action started.

Then came the first contestants, Assignment Deadline, named after their inability to keep to one! After an impressive rendition of Fireflies by Owl City and Brainstew by Greenday, the band returned to the waiting room.

After 2 performances from The Winners (That was their bands name, not the outcome! Or was it?) a band called Einsteins Goldfish took charge who, in my opinion, were contenders to win...

The evening went on and we came to the interval, in which refreshments were available, including crisps for 60p. I didn't take any money so couldn't have any savory snacks, but that didn't bother me. Instead I talked to the audience. (Some may say harassed...)

'Marvelous' screamed one parent, in between guzzling down her Coke. Another announced 'I have a bangin' headache'

As I am not a music student, I learned that I am incapable of rating the musicality of the evenings performances. In order to get a better insight into what was going on, I made a few 'back-alley' deals and had a few quiet words with the organisers, namely Jennifer Waterworth, the fabulous music teacher. To cut a harrowing story down, I took siege of the waiting room, which had an excellent side view of the stage!

The second half finally began.

The crisps left over from the interval were given to the performers in the waiting room and, feeling like Jack Sparrow, I was handed a packet for free! Savvy!?

The most notable performance (to me) was a rock version of Ke$ha's 'TiK ToK by Damnsure'. The waiting room went wild, and I hear from my friends, fellow students Sara Rothwell and Jennifer McCowen, that the audience also went wild! (While remaining seating, and merely tapping their foot to the heavy baseline...)

When the performers had finally finished, it was time for the winners to be announced. The atmosphere was tense and you could smell the excitement! (Or was that the salt and vinegar?)

Set The Night Alight won. Band members Lucia Rojek, Reece Clayton and Tom Wickenden had another go on the mic and Set The house Alight! Towards the end, their fellow music students took to the stage to cheer them on as they belted out their last song, an original composition of 1964.

Well done say I.

Written by Johnny Blackburn