Battle of the Bands was a great opportunity for budding artists from local schools to showcase their talent in front of a live audience and compete for the chance to win a recording session with the Music Technology team. Last year’s winners The Retainers from Audenshaw School were in attendance and showed everyone how far they have come in the last 12 months with a crowd pleasing set of original material.

Competing for top spot on the night were rockers TOMAHAWK, representing Audenshaw School and solo artist Mason Thomas from Alder Community High School. The two performances were worlds apart but equally entertaining with both acts really engaging the crowd and impressing the judges.

It was a difficult decision for judges Luke and Tom but in the end it was Mason’s original material, as well as his confidence to step on stage as a soloist, that really shone through.Mason can look forward to a day in the studio working with Luke, Tom and our students to record one of his own songs, we’re all looking forward to working with Mason.

Best Laid Plans also performed a very tight set on the night. Made up of Ashton Sixth Form College Music Production students Darryl Bowie, Alex Campbell, Mark Mills, Kieran Scally and absent on the night Cameron Dale. The band describe themselves as “an original interpretation of pop punk” and have a number of gigs on the horizon including;

Retro – 27 November
The Rifleman – 29 November
Factory 251 – 20 December
The Witchwood – 27 December

The final word goes to Music Technology teacher Luke Warren;

“This was a fantastic effort from our Music Technology students, who were instrumental in the organisation and running of the event. A huge congratulations to Mason his original material was impressive and really struck a chord with the crowd. Thanks to everyone who was involved”