Battle of the Bands 2024

Battle of the Bands welcomes…

*All pupils Y7-13

*All musical styles, including covers and original compositions

*All sizes of ‘band’, including solo vocals/rap

*Backing tracks (submitted here in advance)     

*Clean lyrics

*Well-prepared bands bringing their own instruments 

*PA, mics, amps, drum kit, piano etc. will be provided: read the kit list carefully

You are invited to the Battle of the Bands Final which will take place at 6pm on Tuesday 9th July in the Main Hall at Tiffin School. Audience members are welcome, seating is unreserved, and no ticket is required to enter. The performance will end at approximately 7:30pm.

Pupils from all year groups are invited to participate in this event, in which all styles of music are welcome, including covers and original compositions. There is no limit to the number of members in each band: from 6-piece rock bands to solo vocals/rap with backing track, all are welcome. Pupils may perform in one or more bands, with each band performing one song. Lyrics must be clean and backing tracks must be submitted in advance. The same equipment will be provided by the music department for each band. Any additional instruments or equipment must be provided by the performers themselves. (Performers must not take musical instruments from the music department).

On the day of the event there will be preliminary rounds for Year 9 music classes (10:40am-12:20pm) and all other Y7-13 pupils (3:30-5:30pm). The length of each round will be limited, and pupils will perform in order of entry: shortage of time may prevent later entries from performing. For these reasons pupils should complete the entry form early to avoid disappointment.

Kit List

The music department will provide: PA speakers with cables, 3 vocal mics and cables, 3 guitar amps, bass amp, drum kit and sticks, piano, portable keyboard, 2 acoustic guitars, 2 cajons, 1 electric guitar, 1 bass guitar and chromebook with cable (for playing submitted backing tracks) 

Performers must provide all other equipment, which might include: electric guitars, electric guitar cables, bass guitars, bass guitar cables, drum sticks, synthesisers, DJ equipment and cables, loop stations, any additional wind, brass or string instruments, any additional audio equipment.

To enter, pupils should carefully follow the instructions below:

Before Tuesday 9th July

*Performers visit the Tiffin Battle of the Bands homepage and complete the online entry form (which closes at noon on Monday 6th July)

*Each act should submit one entry form: each band should nominate one band member to submit an entry form on their behalf. This includes all Year 9 bands.

*Performers who wish to perform with a backing track must submit an mp3 of their backing track here.

*On these pages, pupils may also review the list of entries and find further details about the performance.

*Performers who, after completing the entry form, choose to change the title of their song or members of their band may announce this before their performance.

On Tuesday 9th July

10:40-11:30am P3 Music classes 9X1 & 9Y1 Preliminary Round, Main Hall

11:30-12:20pm P4 Music classes 9Y1 & 9Z1 Preliminary Round, Main Hall

(All other Y9 performers at 3:30-5:30pm)

*Pupils in these music classes should attend the Main Hall at these times, bringing their own instruments if required: all school instruments are provided.

*Year 9 bands present the songs they have prepared in class.

*Set-up time is short: limited to just 2 minutes for each band (performers exceeding this may be disqualified).

*Performers reaching the required standard will be invited to perform in the final at 6pm.

*The best Year 9 band will be awarded the Year 9 prize.

3:30-5:30pm Y7-13 Preliminary Round / Soundcheck, Main Hall

*All performers should attend, bringing instruments as required.

*Performers from all year groups present the songs they have prepared.

*Performers who sign up first will perform first. Those who miss their window may miss the opportunity to perform.

*There may not be time to hear every performance: performers should sign up early to avoid disappointment.

*Set-up time is short: limited to just 2 minutes for each band (performers exceeding this may be disqualified).

*Performers reaching the required standard will be invited to perform in the final at 6pm.

6pm Battle of the Bands Final

*The final round is open to parent, pupil and staff audience members.

*Performers reaching the required standard in the preliminary round will be invited to perform again in the final. Those who sign up first will perform first.

*When not performing, pupils will support their peers by sitting with the audience, then gathering by the stage door one item before they are due to perform.

*Set-up time is short: limited to just 2 minutes for each band (performers exceeding this may be disqualified).

*The best performers will be invited to perform again at Tiffin in the Garden: 5:30pm Friday 12th July.

*Prizes will be awarded for the best ensemble and best solo performances.

Final Round Adjudicator: Jonathan Hill

Jonathan is an experienced touring and recording musician who has played extensively around the UK as well as in the USA, Sweden, Germany and Ireland. He has had the opportunity to perform at world-renowned festivals (Glastonbury, SXSW, V and Latitude), on national television (Channel 4, MTV2) and live on BBC Radio 1. In the studio he has worked with producers such as Dave Eringa (Manic Street Preachers, Kylie, Tom Jones), Dan Swift (Snow Patrol, Kasabian) and Sonny (Shakira) and played on recordings which have been used by NBC's Chuck, Channel 4's The Inbetweeners and BBC's Match of the Day. Jonathan, originally from Worcestershire, started playing the cello aged six and having gained Distinction at Grade 8, went on to study music at the University of Manchester. Growing up he also learnt percussion and piano but the guitar has always been his go-to instrument. He spent a few years playing guitar in top class cruise ship orchestras and is now based in South London where he balances teaching with performing in a variety of ensembles.