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The
excitement was palpable as the hall steadily filled with teenagers
and adults alike. George
Ward students, their uniforms consigned to bottom drawers for the
weekend, looked the part in an assortment of street fashion as they
gathered at their school to pay homage to the school's brightest
rock and pop stars.
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| Mel
Austin |
Mel
Austin has been running the Rock concert for some time, and each
year he does his level best to ensure that the occasion is one which
will remain in people's memory until the next one. The question
on everyone's lips was : will this year be as good as last year's
concert?
With
Touch PA providing the system, DJ Toxic was playing the discs
so that drum and bass vibes reverberated through the school's foundations
as the audience took their seats. Programmes purchased, you could
see the audience eyeing up the CDs, so that in the event of the
gig being better than expectations, they could re-live it day after
day.
As
soon as the lights went down, James Chillman and Paul
Seemeyer provided the spectacle of breathtaking lighting effects.
The
line-up consisted of George Ward students ranging from just twelve-years-old
to eighteen-years-old.
Laura
Lewis (12) was the first to perform. She was supported by the
house band, comprising of skilled and versatile musicians. Her song,
a Good Charlotte cover, Say Anything was well-executed, and
she gave a confident and excellent performance.
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| Beth
Turrell |
Natasha
Harris (12) also managed to give a spirited version of How
Do I Live? by Lee Anne Rimes. She belted the song out with considerable
volume, her voice being complemented by the support backing vocals
of Beth Turrell and Stephanie Tuttle.
Laura
and Natasha were joined by Simon Partington to perform their
original Next To You. Simon's rapping with a Northern twist
cut the mustard. Excellent!
Next
up we saw Sobriety Test open with an excellent throbbing
bass-line, even though we were told the bass player, Reno
had only been playing for a couple of months. "We had to make
up our name quickly for the concert," Reno had told me earlier.
Their music reminded me of Ian Dury with its emphasis on catchy
rhythms, and memorable guitar riffs. Their version of Dylan's 'Knocking
on Heaven's Door' would raise a smile on the great man's face, I
feel sure.
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| Reuben
Tyghe |
Reuben
Tyghe, ever the consummate professional, dropped his plectrum
no less than twice during his cover version of Coldplay's "Shiver"
but nobody noticed. They were too busy being transported to a different
place by his beautiful voice and guitar playing.
Reuben
has 'come of age' as a performer, and has a real presence on stage.
The gigging around the locality has paid off in terms of his stagecraft
and professionalism.
Reuben's
tuneful and contemplative lyrics contrasted starkly with Stab
The Holy, whose lead singer must surely live on a diet of throat
sweets. His rasping, chainsaw powerhouse style suited the thrash
metal put out by the band. Great stuff ! All of the front row threatened
to pogo at one point. Well their heads were nodding anyway!
The
first half was ended by singer Kelly Woolford, who sang her
own composition. A superb performance! In the second half, Sara
Lee sang two of her own original songs, in which the house band
included some excellent guitar solo work by superb guitarist, Ant.
Her songwriting expertise was not in question, and had some of the
audience clapping and singing along. A future writing similar material
is assured I feel certain!
Desid
( Matravers Battle of the Band Winners) were second act on after
the break. Matthew, the lead guitarist's excellent guitar
solos made me think that Brian May or Jimi Hendrix were in the room.
The songs gave a full spectrum of colour to the show, as the audience
lapped up what the guitar was shown to be capable of. He dominated
the stage, and as a 'rock-star' friend of mine who has played Glastonbury
four times commented, "He worked the crowd!" Absolutely
marvellous!
Blitz
were great. Singing Stronger by the Sugarbabes, they combined
harmony with powerful voices, belting out their songs so that everyone
could hear just how good they were. Their own compositions , Walking
Alone, were excellent, with sisters Becky and Stephanie
singing superbly.
They
were followed by Beth Turrell. Beth opened with "White
Flag", and I must say that I was impressed at the range and
power of Beth's voice. She has a great voice which communicates
emotion powerfully as she sings. Her own composition , in which
Reuben joined her on acoustic guitar was one of those "John
Peel - moments" from the backstage tent at Glastonbury festival
- you know the kind , where a famous rock legend sings a wholly
acoustic version of a classic song. Absolutely great!
Just
when I was thinking that it couldn't get any better, Lambs Bread
gave me yet another reason to tap my foot. The dry ice was
flowing in plentiful supply. They did three originals, and every
one had me entranced.
Superb
guitar work abounded. Den Novo brought the house down!
The
drummer will need some new skins for his drums, as he was thumping
them that hard! The climax to the evening had me wanting to see
it all over again. A brilliant night out!
Had
the evening met up to expectations ? No, it had surpassed them!
Would I buy the CD? Try and stop me!
Jim
Marshall
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