Afterlife success gains them bookings and school a drum kit

AFTERLIFE, the band from Ladies’ College, has been getting to grips with the school’s new drum kit and PA, bought with the winnings from their Battle of the School Bands victory.

Three members of the band Afterlife, which won this year’s Battle of the School Bands, left to right, Amelie Le Prevost, Mia Edgworth and Tilly Collenette, all 13, with new drum kit that their school, Ladies’ College, has purchased with the prize money they won. Behind, left to right, are Wayne Mahy from contest organiser Thirst Music, James Barker from sponsor Create and Lisa Murfitt from Thirst Music. Isabelle Trabold and Hattie Jinks are the remaining two members of the band. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 25003700)

The five-piece, made up of 13-year-olds Amelie Le Prevost, Mia Edgworth, Tilly Collenette, Isabelle Trabold and Hattie Jinks, won the £1,000 prize in February.

The event was organised by Thirst Music School and sponsored by Create. £500 went to the band while the remaining £500 was given to the music department at the band’s school.

Create’s chartered architect, James Barker, went to Ladies’ College to check how the band was getting on and see what new equipment was in the studio.

‘That was the fourth schools Battle of the Bands and we are very much looking forward to the fifth anniversary next year,’ said Thirst Music founder Wayne Mahy.

‘The idea is to inject money into music in our schools – St Sampson’s and Beaucamps have already had this. It allows the music departments some freedom to buy some better kit and develop the musical talents of the kids further.’

Director of music at Ladies’ College Anthea Roue said: ‘In the music department we have developed a performance area and used the money from the competition to purchase a new drum kit.

‘This will be an instrument that will be used throughout the year by many musicians and therefore we are very excited to have it.’

Since winning the competition, Afterlife have been going from strength to strength.

‘We have been really busy,’ said guitarist Amelie, ‘playing all sorts of venues like Seafront Sunday, Sound festival, Beer and Cider Festival. It means everything to have won it and really took a while to sink in.’

Drummer Mia added: ‘We have even had to turn gigs down, like the Vale Earth Fair, because we can’t play as band members are on holiday or we are just too busy.’

Lead singer Tilly said: ‘We are going to stay on as a band for as long as possible and take this as far as we can. If we were given the opportunity to work on anything, like an album, we would definitely not turn it down. I am working on a few songs so we will have our own material too soon.’