Planned Crash Landing win Battle of the School Bands

Beau Sejour theatre was nearly sold out on Saturday night to see six bands take to the stage.

Last year’s winners, Cheezy Beanz from La Mare High School, kicked off the evening, followed by this year’s five competitors.

‘It went really well,’ said Thirst Music School director and organiser Wayne Mahy.

‘We were nearly sold out, so nearly 400 people.’

Each band played three songs – one fitting with the 1990s theme and two of their own choice.

The winning band played ‘Song 2’ by Blur, as well as two songs in their own punk style.

Mr Mahy said the evening was really lively.

‘The audience was really into it – cheering and clapping,’ he said.

‘For some bands it was their first gig, so it can be quite terrifying.’

He said it was important to have events like this, as many inter-school competitions were based on sport, but this allowed musically-talented students to represent their school. And while there was an element of competition, Mr Mahy said the bands were really supportive of each other.

‘They can hear the songs from the dressing rooms, and they were singing along,’ he said.

The music was judged by David Jones from the UK, Martyn Cast from Jersey, and local musician and performer Nessi Gomes.

Planning is already under way for next year’s event, which will mark 10 years of the popular competition.

‘We haven’t started planning yet, but we are talking about what we could do,’ Mr Mahy said.

‘It will be something totally different.’