West Norfolk secondary school youngsters impress in Battle of the Bands to earn Festival Too spot

Youngsters from three secondary schools battled it out for a place at a prominent town music festival.

There was everything to play for at The Battle of the Band, which featured young musicians within the West Norfolk Academies Trust (WNAT) – and judges had a tough job to choose the winner.

However, The Gliders from Springwood High School’s Year 8 eventually took the winning spot – meaning they will perform during the popular Festival Too Lazy Sunday event on June 30 in Lynn.

All seven bands taking part, from Smithdon High School, Hunstanton, Marshland High School in West Walton and Springwood, have been invited to perform at the WNAT summer music festival in July.

“We had a range of performers from Year 7 through to Year 13 and they all did incredibly well,” Peter Cuss, head of arts, said.

“It was a first gig for some of the performers and others were more experienced, but each of them should be proud of themselves.”

The Gliders took part in the contest last year, which was not restricted to WNAT schools, and won praise for their set.

This year, they returned to the contest to emerge victorious after performing Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns n’ Roses.

There was more than a hint of rock as the Midnight Investment Bankers, from Marshland High School, performed Black Sabbath’s War Pigs.

The Whispers, also from Marshland, played their first ever gig and The Unknown, from Smithdon, were also highlighted for excellent performances.

And the staff weren’t missing out, forming a band of their own which included WNAT CEO and Springwood head Andy Johnson on the drums. Members of the staff band also supported the students taking part.

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