Homegrown talent stormed to victory in the 2015 Harpenden Battle of the Bands competition, with groups from all three of the town’s senior schools taking to the stage at St George’s on Saturday.
Six piece rock band, One Year Left won ‘Best Cover Performance’ for their rendition of ‘Lonely Boy’ by the Black Keys, and will be going to see McBusted in their Alive@Delapre 2015 concert in Northampton.
Funk band ATLAS won the highly coveted ‘Best Original Performance’ for their own song ‘Free’, and will receive a studio recording session at Grand Chapel Studios in Tring.
The other bands taking part included Switchblade Attitude, The Whales, Soul Revival and Red Horizon – all comprised of under 18s from St John Lawes, Roundwood Park and St George’s senior schools.
The event was hosted by BBC Three Counties presenter Gareth Lloyd, who was joined by a host of celebrity judges including Kate Mullins and Emma Smith from the internationally acclaimed vintage-swing-punk group The Pupinni Sisters as well as music producer Michael Pearce and Anni Williams, voice coach for Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor.
The judging was executed X Factor style, with judges giving their feedback in front of a live audience. During the judges’ deliberations, the audience was treated to a surprise guest performance by singer songwriter and St George’s School student Emma McGrath, who has recently performed at the legendary 100 Club in London.
ATLAS band members were all from Roundwood Park school and One Year Left band members came from both Roundwood Park and St George’s Schools.
Presenter Gareth Lloyd said after the event: “I had a great night at Harpenden Battle of the Bands 2015.”
Puppini Sister Kate Mullins said “I really enjoyed Harpenden Battle of the Bands 2015 and was happy to be able to help such worthwhile causes”.
The event was organised by Harpenden Lions Club to raise money for the Eyes Alight appeal for the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) and Lions charities. The Eyes Alight funds will go towards new facilities at Kent House in Aylesbury, a specialist residential centre providing continuing rehabilitation and specialist care and support for people with acquired brain injury. Harpenden Lions Club will donate their share of the proceeds to the Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
The Eyes Alight appeal was set up by Izzy Judd and her family after her brother Rupert Johnston suffered serious brain injury in a near fatal car accident. Rupert received expert rehabilitation from BIRT and is a resident at Kent House.
For more information on the Eyes Alight Appeal see www.thedtgroup.org/support-us/appeals/eyes-alight.aspx
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