The ambitious young winners of a battle of the band-style competition have set their sights on performing at music festivals.

GP5 members Jessica Ward, Harrison Ralph, Arun Kullar, all 14, and 15-year-old Alexis Radjabou, were crowned Last Band Standing at Fairtykes Arts Centre earlier this month.

The saw off competition from six other acts at the sell-out show, after forming the band just two months ago in their GCSE music class at Coopers’ Company and Coborn School, in St Mary’s Lane, Upminster.

“This was all quite new for us, and we were really nervous, but once we started performing, we really enjoyed it,” said Jessica.

They performed a cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Californication as well as a self-penned song, Think Back, written by Jessica.

“Now that we’ve done this, we want to try and enter more competitions and perform at festivals too, it’s always nice to have something to work towards.”

The group will also be able to record its own material thanks to the prize they won, giving them three days in a local recording studio at myplace community centre in Harold Hill, to further enhance their talents.

Second place went to The Walking Method, and The Broken Strings were given third place in the competition.

Simon Parkinson, head of culture and leisure for Havering Council, said: “We’re really pleased it’s been such a resounding success. It’s given a number of young people in bands the confidence to perform in public, and others, the inspiration to do the same. I’m sure this is the start of many more events like this in the future.”

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