A summer rock school saw budding musicians from across Caerphilly County Borough experience what it’s like to perform on stage.
The school was organised by social enterprise RecRock, with help from Coleg y Cymoedd, Arts Active and Caerphilly Youth Service. Throughout the week five bands practiced with experienced musicians before some of them performed at the café in Welsh ICE, on Caerphilly Business Park, in front of a sizeable audience.
The highlight saw all-girl band Tate perform a tribute to the late comedian Robin Williams, written by themselves having had no musical experience before attending the rock school.
Drummer and vocalist, Hollie Bainton, 16, said: “People were really shocked I could drum and sing at the same time as the drum teacher said it took him three years to master. We want to play again as a band but make it better.”
Tate’s Jenny Parfitt, 16, said: “We are going to continue practising with RecRock at Crumlin Youth Centre as a trio.”
Bands at the gig played songs including Metallica’s Enter Sandman and American political rockers System of a Down’s Sugar.
RecRock Director Jack Cooper said: “We wanted to put something on for local musicians to stop them getting bored in the summer and encourage the music scene.
“There was a range of different skill levels and experience but the end performances were solid.
“It was free for all the kids and we are hoping to do another one in October.”