Tunes For Tilly was an event for 14-17 year olds held on the 7th of May. This event was organised by Kim Jones, Paige Robinson, George Sweeten, Jessica Smith, Chloe Spears and Emily O’Hara. The event was held at the Forum music centre on Borough Road. The event was mainly a concert with extra activities added which were a raffle and a Guitar Hero completion. Fans could also purchase a CD at a £3 each. There was also a DJ that played in-between the Bands.

The Bands that played on that night were “2 Many Units”, “Settle for less” and “No Album Reviews”. The night went fantastically well, every one that precipitated in this event had a marvellous time. We had over two hundred people attending this concert.

During the event of Tunes for Tilly, the team organised additional fundraisers such as a Guitar Hero competition, raffles and selling merchandise. Raffle tickets were sold at 20p for a ticket or £1 for a line of the winners of the raffle were announced on stage by the team before the headlining act ‘Settle for Less’ performed. There was a wide range of prizes including an item donated by TFM radio DJ Wayne Allen and a goody bag containing: a toothbrush, a banana, a band t – shirt donated kindly by Settle for Less.

The Guitar Hero contest went down a hit too, with many participants it took some time to find the winner; the winner was also announced on stage (with a whopping score of 245 000!) and received a £5 HMV voucher.

Darlington based rockers 2 Many Units made sure that the first Tunes For Tilly started off with a bang.

The upcoming band is made up of James (guitars & vocals), Sam (guitar), Josh (bass) and Joansie (drums).

With influences such as Angels & Airwaves, Radiohead and Funeral for a Friend, 2 Many Units are a treat for any rock lover.

On the night, many of 2 Many Units’ fans followed them to Tunes For Tilly, the fans cheered and sang with the band through their whole performance. They played energetic songs, such as ‘She Can Do Better’ and the slower, emotional ‘In Autumn’, both songs were included on the Tunes For Tilly CD, which was sold on the night.

2 Many Units started the night of perfectly, they were followed by No Album Reviews and Settle For Less.

Second on were Country Durham’s ‘No Album Reviews’ in their debut performance at the forum. Hitting the stage with songs from their new EP, which included songs such as ‘World Awake’ and ‘Waste Your Time’ along side Headlining band ‘Settle For Less’ bassist, Stephen Wilson.

Roaring through the second slot, with songs that have a similar sound to bands like Kings of Leon and Elbow the night was sure for success, due to the amount of young teenagers clapping, jumping and singing along. Influenced by bands such as Muse, Foo Fighters and Smashing Pumpkins, the band were sure to get a good reaction from those who had turned up to support the event, and watch the band play.

In the future, the band are hoping for a new EP and requiring a new bassist due to present band member moving to Guilford near London.

Check out the bands MySpace at:

www.myspace.com/noablumreviewsuk

for more information and music!

The headliners of the night were Settle For Less a Pop/Rock (or as the band say -Xylophonic hardcore) band from County Durham. They stormed the stage with their bubbly, upbeat rhythms from their new EP- ‘Happy as Larry’ such as ‘Open Your Eyes’ and covers such as ‘Poker Face’. The atmosphere was great and was not just enjoyed by the crowd, but the band too: “...We still all love what we do and we love playing music for people. It really is all about the music for us to be honest, of course we have to make a living, we're not saying we don't, but when we can help out like we did on Thursday for people like Tilly it's great and it's just as rewarding if not more rewarding than any money.” The band topped the night off perfectly with their ‘All Time Low’ influence and certainly got the crowd buzzing.

If you want to see more from the band then contact:

settle_for_less@hotmail.co.uk

or contact the band through their MySpace:

www.myspace.com/SFLUK

The night was organised to raise money for the young Tilly Lockey who unfortunately lost her hands and the tips of her toes due to a form of meningitous named Menegococcal Septicemia. The cost for new hands is £20,000 and it is suggested that the hands should be changed every 10 months until she is 18 and stopped growing.

On the night it was a big success with a whopping £1,103.75 made! So we would like to say thanks to: Ash Trevarrow, Mike Clark, Joanne King, Longfield Staff and everyone who turned up. It was much appreciated. For more details go to:

www.myspace.com/tunesfortilly

OR

tunes_for_tilly@hotmail.co.uk

By Paige Robinson, George Sweeten, Kim Jones, Chloe Spears, Jess Smith and Emily O’Hara.