At the Bright Futures 2024 Fundraising gig, young, aspiring musicians were placed centre stage at the magnificent Bush Hall and given the opportunity to perform with our fantastic guest performers, including Nick Lowe, Hollie Cooke (singer/songwriter), Luke Allwood (Gentleman’s Dub Club) and Ben Martinez as well as RSF patrons Guy Chambers, acclaimed songwriter and award-winning designer Tom Dixon OBE.
After guests had arrived to the tunes of RS Sixth-former DJ Jules, the evening kicked off with a wonderful performance by RSF Scholarship alumna Cosima Accurso and her band followed by a stellar performance of The Mini Mercurys, a band made up of 8 year-olds from local state Larmenier & Sacred Heart RC Primary School. Hollie Cooke & Luke Allwood then performed a stunning pared back set.
The wonderful national treasure Nick Lowe & mega songwriter Guy Chambers then came on with fellow-band members The Taylor Twins and got the audience going with several of Nick's well known hits, including “Cruel to be kind”. An impromptu performance of Guy Chambers’ iconic anthem “Angels” featuring Hollie Cooke on vocals was a spine-tingling moment during the evening with the audience singing along, preparing the room for the headline act of the evening, the RSF All Stars. Featuring RSF Patron Tom Dixon on Bass, Ben Martinez, Hollie Cooke and Luke Allwood, along with scholarship students drummer Sonny, lead vocalist Andreza and guitarist Aarion, they gave a brilliant rendition of Put Your Records On by Corrine Bailey Rae and Back on 74 by Jungle. DJ Wheelup rounded off the evening.
Friends of the foundation, Simon London & Shamime Ibrahim were the perfect MC’s and, along with the Silent Auction and Pledge moment, were instrumental in getting us to our £25,000 fundraising target, rounding off a truly magic and inspirational evening at Bush Hall.
Huge thanks go to all the amazing people who made this event possible.
Photos @rugfoot
