Students rock at annual Battle of the Bands competition

Due to its ever-growing popularity, the event was returning for its fourth consecutive year, with 15 bands – comprising 65 students – taking to the stage in front of a capacity crowd of parents, carers and friends. 

Joey Hughes from Leicester Community Radio formed the judging panel with Georgie Surridge and Simon Kirk, members of Midnight Angel, a legendary local rock band. Together, they judged the school bands across four areas: Musical Ability, Stage Presence, Band Cohesion and Audience Participation.  

The level of commitment and the hours of practice were obvious, as all our bands stunned the audience, performing a wide array of songs. From Guns N' Roses to the Arctic Monkeys, there was something for everyone, with the theatre resembling a cauldron of electricity and energy; the level of support shown for each act across the evening was also heartwarming.  

Given the standard of performance, the final scores were very close and, after much deliberation from the judging panel, the winners were selected. 

Taking home the top prize in the Juniors Category was Velvet Static from The Cedars Academy, who wowed the audience with an impressive rendition of ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine.’ Year 9 Devin, in particular, shone with an outrageous guitar solo that narrowly clinched victory.  

In the Seniors Category, Beauchamp College’s entry In From The Rain took gold; having finished as runner-up in each of the past two years, finally clinching victory was incredibly satisfying. Having dazzled with a medley of Arctic Monkey’s classics, the band will also, thanks to judge Joey, host a 20-minute opening set at the Birstall Gala this summer as an additional prize – a testament to their level of performance! 

Meanwhile, the Outstanding Individual Performance Award went to singer Saffy from Combvst, the entry from Humphrey Perkins School. Aged just 16, Saffy’s stunning vocal performance dazzled all in attendance. 

On this year’s event, Lionheart’s Performing Arts Technician Jonathan Davison, who organised the event, said: “I knew this year would be the best yet!  

“The Battle of the Bands has been a catalyst for something incredible inside these young people. It's lit a fire within them that has helped them step out of their comfort zones. They were genuine rock stars. 

“I think this is an experience for them that they will relive over and over in their heads for the rest of their lives. It was that good.” 

 

The Results: 

Seniors 

1 – In From The Rain (Beauchamp College) 

2 – Combvst (Humphrey Perkins School) 

3 – Ultraviolet (Sir Jonathan North Girls’ College) 

 

Juniors 

1 – Velvet Static (The Cedars Academy) 

2 – Innuendo (Humphrey Perkins School) 

3 – None Of The Above (Humphrey Perkins School) 

 

Outstanding Individual Performance 

Saffy (Humphrey Perkins School) 

 

Participating schools this year were Beauchamp College, The Castle Rock School, The Cedars Academy, Humphrey Perkins School, Martin High School, The Newbridge School and Sir Jonathan North Girls’ College.