A Watford-formed band beat off fierce competition to perform at the same festival as chart toppers UB40 and Craig David.
Punk band BEAF. will play on the second stage at St Albans Pub in the Park on Friday, September 8, at 6pm.
BEAF. won the slot after going up against 64 other acts in the St Albans Battle of the Bands competition. After a series of rounds they won at The Horn, St Albans, on August 17.
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All four members met when they studied music performance at West Herts College’s Watford campus in 2020.
Lead singer Tom, 20, who has lived in Watford since 2019, said the band is “thankful to play at the festival and do a live radio set at Mix926 Radio” as part of their prize.
He added: “To get up on stage and captivate people for 30 minutes – to be able to do that is an amazing feeling.”
At first, the band didn’t believe they would go on to win.
Bass player Sam, 19, who grew up in Watford and attended Parmiter’s School, said: “I felt more confident in the heats than in the semi-finals. At this point it was like we were against professional bands.”
This was echoed by Adam, 20, from Bushey who went to Bushey Meads. He said: “In the heats it was an audience vote, but in the finals, it was down to the judges, and we started doubting ourselves.”
The band, that includes fourth member Jude, 21, from Hemel Hempstead who plays the drums, said they will continue to work hard.
Tom said: “It doesn’t mean anything unless we put the work in and take the opportunities that come our way.
“We are looking for a manager and are always trying out new things to be better.
“We saw the fruits of that in the Battle of the Bands. Every round we got better. We will stay the course and keep working.”
BEAF.’s St Albans show will likely be their largest show to date.
But the band hasn’t left its Watford roots behind as it will be warming up the day before with a gig at The Horns in Watford on Thursday, September 7.
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