Beautiful Carrot comes close: Wickersley school band shines in Battle of the Bands contest

The unusually-named band from Wickersley School were almost top of the charts at a hotly-contested Battle of the Bands between musicians from around the borough.

The four-piece finished runners-up in the intermediate category to Wales High School’s Not So Big Band.

And in the advanced section, the winners could have been inspired by Rotherham’s former ground of Millmoor as they were dubbed Tivolis.

The Tivoli was the name of the Rotherham United home end until 2008 and that of the former pub fronting Masbrough Road — not to mention a now-defunct 2000s rock band.

Clifton Community School hosted the annual contest for secondary school students, with Rotherham College head of music, David Burgess, professional saxophonist Sarah Potts, Rotherham Music Service head Toby Smith and and multi-instrumentalist Janine Miller acting as judges.

The intermediate section finalists also included Gazi Band of Clifton Community School, Unconfirmed of Oakwood High School and Banned Soul, also from Clifton.

The judges hailed Gazi Band as “by far the coolest looking band” and praised

Unconfirmed’s harmonies.

In the advanced group, runners-up included Raw Honey of Oakwood; The Leavers, from Clifton; Rawmarsh School’s Day Dreamers; Wales High’s Orchidelia; and Unnamed, of Thrybergh Academy.

The Leavers gave a performance of Etta James’ classic I Would Rather Go Blind, while

Orchidelia played original songs they'd worked on as a band, while Tivolis were hailed for their professional performance.

Jessica Smales, music teacher at Clifton Community School, said:  “The next generation of the music industry in Rotherham is clearly outstandingly strong.

“All of the students from all schools conducted themselves like real musicians and were a real credit to themselves.

“They really supported each other and were proud of their performances.”

She paid tribute to Rotherham College’s music performance and music technology students helped set up the event.

“Myself and the music team are looking forward to what next year’s competition will bring,” Ms Smales said.