Newbury teen band through to competition final as crowd favourite

Newbury band Minor Inconvenience is through to the final stage of a Battle of the Bands competition, after qualifying from their heat as the crowd favourite.

The group, made up of four Park House School students, were up against four other young bands from across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey on Sunday, April 27.

All competitors were under 24, but Minor Inconvenience, with members all aged 14-15, were the youngest. Their 20-minute set list contained rock classics and their own music, performed before a panel of experts at the Phoenix Arts Centre, in Bordon, Hampshire.

Judges praised the band’s energy and rapport with the audience, saying their infectious enjoyment lifted the crowd and brought a real sense of fun to the competition.

Minor Inconvenience were voted through as the audience favourite, and a student rock band from Portsmouth, Concrete Fern, secured the judges’ vote.

Minor Inconvenience, made up of Ant Wilkin (guitar and singer), Mason Velvick (lead guitar), James McDermott (bass guitar) and Ollie Smith (drums), now go through to The Rising Networks’ Battle of the Bands final on Sunday, June 1. If they win, they’ll be in line for cash prizes, mentoring, and a headline spot at a Hampshire summer music festival.

Ollie Smith, Minor Inconvenience’s drummer, said: “We really upped our game for the Battle of the Bands, and performed as well as we ever have. It was a great experience, and we can’t wait for the final!.”

To follow Minor Inconvenience on Instagram, search for minor_inconvenience.band