Coombeshead Academy Soul Band and Folk Group Rock the Devon County Show!

The Coombeshead Academy Soul Band and Folk Group wowed the crowd at one of Devon’s highest profile events this week!

The student bands from Coombeshead Academy in Newton Abbot, part of Education South West, were invited to play at Devon County Show by the Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub and managed to fit the event into their already packed performance diaries.

Upon arriving at the Exeter Westpoint Arena, the students were thrilled to discover that they were due to perform on the big main stage with a full PA system and space for a large audience.

The ten folk musicians then filled the stage with great live music, performing original renditions of contemporary classics.  The Soul Band followed on from the Folk Group, performing a 30-minute set which included some old soul classics and also soul versions of current pieces of contemporary music.  

Many members of the public commented on how professional, talented, and pleasing to the ear both bands were, with some even making the mistake in thinking they were listening to a recording.  The students were then asked by BBC Radio Devon for an interview!

Helen Coulson, Headteacher at Coombeshead Academy said:

“I am delighted that our student bands got the chance to put on such a professional performance at the Devon County Show.  The students were a credit to Coombeshead Academy and I know they really enjoyed the experience of playing for such a large audience.”

Matthew Shanks, CEO of Education South West said:

“It’s clear that the talented young musicians here at Coombeshead continue to challenge the distinction between ‘school group’ and ‘professional working bands.  I am just sorry that I missed their sets as it’s clear they were real crowd pleasers!”