Grass roots music is alive and kicking in Folkstone following the support of Future Sounds of Folkstone and Seaview Studio. Organised by music teacher Roxy Hicks this event showcased talent from a range of ages culminating in a band event featuring musicians from Folkstone and the surrounding areas.
The event was hosted at 20th Century Speed way, a 120 capacity multifunctional venue known for hosting music, photoshoots, comedy and drag events. The venue has been redeveloped since my last visit and was a perfect venue to host the event.
Starting with vocal students from Seaview studios singing a variety of pop and musical theatre songs to backing tracks, the event gave students the opportunity to perform live for the first time in front of a crowd in a supportive environment. The young performers were well received and clearly enjoyed their first taste of live music performance.
Following the individual performances the evening moved to the band portion of the event. The first band Square Head 5 (a product of the Andrew Parry Rock School advanced program) were playing their second gig together following their inaugural performance at the Flower Pot in Maidstone the month prior. As with most new groups the band delivered a set of covers to a warm applause from the audience. The eclectic set covered music from the last half century from David Bowie to Keane.
Set list
- Cranberries – Zombie, 2. Keane Somewhere only we know, 3. Radiohead – creep, 4. Ziggy star dust David Bowie, 5. Sweet child of mine Guns n Roses
The second band of the evening was The Kraig, another band formed at the Andrew Parry School of Rock summer work shops held at Maidstone Grammar School. The first incarnation of the band started 3 years ago and following some minor line up changes the band recently headlined the gig at the Flowerpot. The band consists of Ace Legood on lead vocals/bass/rhythm guitar, Beth Martin on lead guitar, Frank Large on bass/rhythm guitar and Oscar Elks on drums. The group delivered a multi-genre set demonstrating the bands varied taste. Kicking off with Na Na Na by My Chemical Romance the crowd interacted with the group becoming particularly vocal and singing back during the bands rendition of Livin’ on a Prayer. The growth in the band over the last few years is clear and events like these have helped their development.
Set list- Na Na Na – My Chemical romance, 2. Face down – The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, 3. One Eyed Bastard – Green Day, 4. My lovely man – Red Hot Chilli Peppers, 5. Livin’ On A Prayer – Bon Jovi
The Headline band was Folkstone’s own Atheena. The group that met at Folkstone Academy comprises singer/rhythm guitarist Charlie Prescott, lead guitarist Lewis Burrows bassist/backing vocalist George Tanner Keyboardist/Backing Vocalist Jack Reynolds Drummer Kian Lewis. They site their influences as McFly, Radiohead, Guns n Roses and Queen. The bands’ up-tempo brand of rock was well received by the crowd which heavily featured the bands followers and family. Opening with original track “Never Turning Back” before progressing into the bands only released track “Drowning”. Prescott explains the track is available to stream before the band continued the set with “What a Difference” and then their most recently written track “Theatre Song” before a high octane version of McFly’s “5 Colours in Her Hair”. From the passionate rendition it’s clear how much they like McFly. After two more originals there is another cover, this time a rock cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” but with slight lyric changes to make fun of bassist Tanner. Throughout the set the rapport with the crowd was good including a comedy story about keys player Reynolds, needing the toilet and a change of clothes. Some heckling of Reynolds occurred but what else are dads for. During the penultimate song Prescott introduces the band before performing the last track of the set “Be with you” culminating with rapturous applause from those gathered.
Setlist- Never turning back, 2. Drowning, 3. What a difference. 4. Theatre song, 5 colours in her hair (cover McFly), 6. If you loved me, 7. All I need is you, 8. I kissed a girl (cover Katy Perry), 9. When you look at me, 10. This way, 11. Garden hose, 12. Be with you
Grassroot events like this are a crucial part of the music industry and give musicians vital experiences to develop their craft. It is also highly beneficial having experienced and supportive professionals helping young musicians, and this was provided by Sophia and Tim from Sea View Studios and to the two support bands by Elliott Elks of Andrew Parry Music. The whole event would not have been possible with out support from the Future Sound of Music program and programs such as those provided by Seaview Studios and Andrew Parry Music. A big thank you from the musicians must go to Roxy Hicks for organising this event, her first and hopefully not her last.
For more information on the contributors to this event click the links below.
https://folkestonemusic.co.uk/future-sound-of-folkestone/
https://www.andrewparrymusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Speedway68/?locale=en_GB
https://www.seaviewstudio.co.uk/
www.favershamphotography.com
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