Let's hear it for the Bands!

Harrodian wannabee rock and pop stars came together to make music together at this year's BOTB competition. Duos, trios and other groups took to the stage to celebrate the power of musical collaboration. 

On Thursday 25 April, the School Theatre echoed to the sound of original contemporary music of all kinds as young musicians, from duos to rock bands, competed for the 'Silver Stratocaster' trophy and the opportunity to play a set at the Isle of Wight Festival stage this summer.

This has been the first Battle of the Bands for Kay Le Doujet, since she became Director of Music in September. Aware of the popularity surrounding the event, Kay remained resolute in her decision to make important changes to it. ‘Battle of the Bands is such an institution at Harrodian and has been ever since it was launched in 2008, so when it came to changing it, I knew I had to tread carefully,’ she explains. ‘But I feel very strongly that this is a music event that should be all about groups and bands.  In the music department, we are keen to encourage our pupils to collaborate and work together more – there are certain skills that are essential to forming a band, staying in one (!) and creating music together and these are just as important and if not harder than writing your own songs and performing them as a soloist,’ she clarifies. However, she is also mindful that soloist songwriters need a platform to showcase their creativity too and that is why she plans to introduce a special song-writing competition in the music calendar for the future – so watch this space!

On the evening of the competition there were special performances from last year’s winners Atlas (featuring Benji L -14s, Marcus H -14s, Jack H – 14s and Oli H – U6) and Olivia W (15s), as well as a rendition of John Newman’s ‘Love Me Again’ on the drums by Upper Sixth Former Artemis but the final line up, shorter than in previous years, consisted of five competing bands.  As a result of the refined programme, the standards of the music composed and performed were the highest they have been, and the competition was fierce. After great deliberation, two groups were awarded as joint winners: duo Jack (14s) and Oli (U6) and trio Harry (L6), Rocco (L6) and Woody (15s), below:

So what is it that makes BOTB an event that pupils and staff adore? ‘A mix of different ingredients,’ is how Kay describes it. ‘The prize – to play at Isle of Wight Festival – is obviously a big deal but there’s more to it than that. It’s the genuine love of music that our Harrodian performers have, the chance to share this passion with other people who feel the same about music, it’s the support they receive from the audience, the feedback from the judges and opportunity to learn from them so that they grow and mature as artists. All of these things are a testament to the Battle of the Band’s ongoing success.’

Harry, Rocco and Woody unintentionally reiterate their Director of Music’s enthusiasm but in their own words.  'To take part in the Battle of the Bands, you write and compose our own song and then perform it to a packed theatre full of your friends and teachers. It is nerve-wracking but at the same it is amazing – there is so much support in the room, everyone is rooting for one another,’ says Rocco. 'My songs are linked to feelings, rather than events. I express a whole range of emotions, so I feel like I am really putting myself out there. That’s why it is always reassuring when other people in the audience get it!’

But perhaps just as important to the event's success is the aura of professionalism that surrounds it. Former parent and MD of Solo Music Agency, John Giddings, who returned this year for the thirteenth time as chairman of the judges, is the man behind the success of the Isle of Wight (IoW) Festival and the fellow judges he brings are always seasoned music professionals too. This year’s panel featured Parade pop group member Emily Biggs and Solo Music agent Billy Bruce.

The prize on offer to the winners is also clearly a serious incentive for any young musician keen to make his or her mark in the industry. This summer Harry, Rocco and Woody will have the opportunity to play a 20-minute set at the IoW Festival, courtesy of John Giddings. Winning duo Jack and Oli will too, but this will be their second time.  They were fortunate enough to play the festival in 2023 as part of last year’s winning band Atlas. The brothers are determined to do an even better job the second time round and already have three original songs and three covers ready to play. ‘We know how lucky we are to be playing there again, so we are determined to do an even better job this time. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be discovered at the Isle of Wight Festival, so to get the chance twice is unbelievable!’ they say.  

Fans of Coldplay and Radiohead, their song 'Your Mistake' hit all the right notes and the judges were impressed. John Giddings compared their modern sound to Lewis Capaldi and James Bay, whilst the rest of the panel remarked on their individual guitar skills – Jack plays acoustic guitar and Oli bass. Despite being brothers, they don’t argue much according to Oli who says, ‘it’s so easy for us to jam together at home, we know how to play to one another’s strengths and weaknesses but best of all we can also be brutally honest with one another!’

Harry, Rocco and Duncan performed two songs – one written by Harry called ‘Apologies,’ and the other by Rocco entitled ‘Denial.’ They received a very warm reception from the judges, who asked them to perform both tracks at the Isle of Wight Festival. The panel also complimented Rocco on his ‘great recording voice’ and loved the fact that all three boys sang and played instruments simultaneously and also described them as a ‘great fit for the festival environment.’ On asking about their musical influences, the boys don’t name a genre of music or a particular artist/band that – proof that they are happy being themselves and creating the music that they like. They do, however, share more details about the composition process. “I find the tune or chorus first and then fit the chords and lyrics around it,” explains Rocco. ‘Once you have the melody, the rest of the song follows quite quickly - the whole process is probably a lot easier than people think.’ 

When asked what advice they have for Harrodian pupils thinking about entering the BOTB competition next year, all five of them agree. 'The fun definitely outweighs the scariness, so you just need to go for it!’ But Woody, of Grease/Danny fame, expands on this. ‘To get a band together you need to be with people that you like and have good chemistry with, then spend a day playing and coming up with tunes. It doesn’t take as long as you might think to come up with a song, it’s just the getting started that is the hardest part!”

The winners aside, everyone who took part in the competition gave an amazing performance. A massive congratulations to all the other groups that took part in this year's competition.

To watch a film (made by 15s pupil Jamie L.) that features a short clip of each of the performances, please click on the link below:
 

It was clear that all the musicians who took part in the Battle of the Bands shared a love of performing. Our Staff band clearly feels the same way. Closing the evening with two energetic and dramatic renditions of Chuck Berry’s ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘Mr Brightside’ by the Killers, they totally rocked!