Talented Students To Kick Off Christmas Light Festivities

A Bath-based student band, Too Much Lipstick, will perform to thousands of people at the Christmas lights switch on this year.

The five-piece band has been selected as the event’s opening act after impressing a panel of judges at a live audition.

Too Much Lipstick will play a 15 minute set of originals, covers and their version of Christmas classics to a crowd of about 10,000 people at the event on Tuesday, November 12th.

The band will be sharing the stage with the likes of Great British Bake Off presenter Mary Berry and stars from Bath Rugby.

Eight student bands from Bath College’s record label BA1 Records went head-to-head performing one song each for the organisers of the event.

Judges included Andrew Cooper, manager of Bath’s Business Improvement District, and Emma Samways, regional event manager for Local World.

Andrew said: “The Christmas lights switch on has always been a community event.

“The college has always been an integral part of the event as we want to promote the talent being nurtured right on our doorsteps.

“We have been blown away by the excellent talent of the students; they were all absolutely great; it was hard decision to make.”

He added: “The band is going to be first on stage and we look forward to seeing them entertain the crowds.”

Too Much Lipstick, who have been together just over a year, describe themselves as “a modern acoustic band with a little something different.”

The Music BTEC Diploma students, who are aged 16 to 18, are already making a name for themselves on Bath and Bristol’s gigging circuit.

They were up against Amber Dee, Lily O’ Shaughnessy, Rhys Coleman, Where’s Morocco?, The Foolish Knaves, Hazel band and Unlucky Number.

Judges were clearly impressed with the talent of the student bands. They said they were “mesmerised by the music” and made comments during the auditions such as; “You’re amazing,” “I love your enthusiasm,” “I’m jealous of your skills,” and “I wish I could play the guitar like you.”

The judges found it so hard to choose just one band to represent City of Bath College that they also selected three students to perform at the event’s VIP after show party.

Amber Dee, Rhys Coleman and Lily O’Shaughnessy will give 15 minute solo acoustic performances to the well-known faces invited to the Pump Rooms.

Music course leader Clive Stocker said students had risen to the challenge of the live auditions even though they only had about a week to prepare.

He said: “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to showcase the talents of students at such a well-attended event.

“This was an excellent chance for the students to perform to a panel of judges who genuinely seemed overwhelmed by their talent.

“It was great for us to show the judges what we can do. They said they were particularly impressed with the standard and confidence of our musicians.”

BA1 acts Gabrielle Aplin, Lascel Wood, Bite the Buffalo and Georgie Vale have previously wowed the crowds at similar Christmas events.

Bath’s Christmas Market will start the following week, between 28th November and the 15th December.