Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
ROCKED THE HOUSE Voltage create sparks at Battle of the Bands
Champions of Chryston High retain winner’s crown
Chryston High’s young rockers reigned supreme for the second year running at North Lanarkshire’s annual Rockfest battle of the bands competition.
The band, called Voltage, delivered another electric performance to be crowned champions once again in Motherwell Concert Hall, beating groups from across the area in the process.
Voltage features Lauren Bradley on vocals and guitar, with her brother Ryan on drums and Fraser Cummings on bass. The talented trio covered Biffy Clyro’s hit Wolves of Winter and also performed their own song entitled Designed to Last.
Ryan also won the best individual performance for his scintillating solo drumming skills and pocketed a £ 100 prize.
Chryston High head teacher Johnny Mitchell told the Advertiser: “We are so proud of the young people who have represented our school. They are really quite inspiring and it goes beyond music to the diversity in the group.
“They lost an influential member last year, but they came out and worked so hard. It captured the school ethos.
“We are always talking about resilience. Even when they were accepting the award, they talked about how well they’ve been supported.
“It represents what our music department do. The staff were in a lot of nights helping them prepare. A huge shout out goes out to these guys and North Lanarkshire Council as a whole.”
The event was presented by Radio Scotland DJ Vic Galloway and the capacity audience were treated to a terrific night of live music.
The prizes were gifted by the main sponsor Martec Engineering, which saw Voltage lift the £500 first prize.
Jim Park, principal music instructor with North Lanarkshire Council, said: “We’d like to thank Vic Galloway for making time in his busy schedule to present our Rockfest battle of the bands concert and to our sponsors Engie, Securus group, Reeltime Music, Youth Music Initiative and Creative Scotland.
“A brilliant night was had by all and a huge well done to all the bands that took part.
“We are already planning next year’s event and we are looking forward to doing it all again on Tuesday, February 19, 2019, back in Motherwell Concert Hall.”