Stewart Nicolson, Head of Education, who was at the event- at Hamilton Town House, said: “Battle of the Bands 2023 was the most exciting yet with 13 amazing bands, encompassing multiple genres of rock and pop and surpassing all expectations!

“What a night it was……it was thoroughly heart-warming to see so many pupils from across South Lanarkshire’s schools perform to such a high standard to the 700 strong audience of adoring fans. It was everything and more that you would expect from a rock gig.”

The council's Instrumental Music Service was proud to host former pupil Broghan as the Battle of the Bands guest performer, fresh from her debut gig at Glasgow’s Hydro where she supported the incredible Lewis Capaldi in January.

Lead singer Mike Baillie from the popular post-indie group ‘The Lonely Together’ had the difficult job of selecting the winning group and most outstanding performer - this was an unenviable task as all of the bands performed brilliantly with so many stand out vocalists and instrumentalists.

However, the decision was made and all girl group ‘Lazuli’ from Stonelaw High School were not only crowned the winning band but their lead singer Freya Talbot was named as most outstanding performer with her impressive performance of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ and ‘Killing in the Name Of…’ by Rage Against the Machine.

The band are all S5 pupils and they are (pictured above by Calderside Academy S6 pupil DJ Rankin):

• Freya Talbot - Lead Vocal (in pink trousers at the end)
• Sarah Dunn - Lead Guitar
• Lily Findlay - Rhythm Guitar
• Katie Hare - Bass
• Karolina Skinderskyte - Drums

Larkhall Academy and Duncanrig Secondary School’s took runner’s up places and the supportive crowd made every band feel like winners with their cheering and chanting throughout the whole event.

Next year’s Battle is already in the diary and we can’t wait. To find out more, follow the Instrumental Music Service on Twitter @MusicSlc