There are tribute bands for every artist ever; AC/DC, ABBA and of course Queen. On 1st November, the Mick Jagger Centre in Dartford held a charity concert with 3 bands including a Queen tribute act which left concert goers in awe.

The two charities in question were the Friends Of Carlton Centre, Sidcup, which offers a variety of opportunities for people with learning disabilities or autism in a modern, well-equipped building. The second charity was Celebrations Theatrical Group, which is a music and theatre group for adults with learning disabilities in Bexley. The group is self-funded and all their helpers are volunteers and are based at the Carlton Day Centre in Sidcup.

 
The event was organised by the Wrinkly Rockers Club and it was sold out, and raised about £1000 for the charities.
 
The first band was local up and coming alternative rock band, Stone Blind. Their energetic performance got the crowd pumped and into the music. They performed 2 classic covers- AC/DC’s Highway to Hell and Guns N Roses Welcome To The Jungle, along with their own original material. The band was founded in 2012 and is from South East England. The band consists of Jamie Bull(vocals and piano), Dan Murph (backing vocals and guitar), Matt Murphy(Bass guitar) and Dylan Tidnam(drums). They have an EP out called “Girl Next Door”.  Their 30 minute set prepared the crowd for the next band.
 
The next band was a cover band called The Replicants. Consisting of Joe Head(Vocals), Stu O’Brien(guitar), Steve Hesmondhalgh(guitar), Steve James(drums) and Phil Bull(bass guitar).  This is their second year performing at the concert. This band play covers of popular rock songs including The Foo Fighters and Nirvana.
 
The main band was a tribute band for the night called The Bohemians. They are currently the world’s best tribute band to Queen and formed in 1996. The band consists of Rob Comber (Freddie Mercury – vocals, acoustic guitar and piano), Christopher Gregory (Brian May – lead guitar and backing vocals), Wayne Bourne (Roger Taylor – drums and backing vocals) and Kevin Goodwin (John Deacon – bass guitar and backing vocals). They played an amazing set including hits like Don’t Stop me Now, Hammer To Fall and We Are The Champions. The band invited audience members to come down to the dance floor, so that they had more room to dance.  The finale was a foot stomping rendition of We Will Rock You and then the ultimate Queen Anthem, Bohemian Rhapsody and everyone was dancing and singing along with the lyrics. 
 
We left the venue with ringing ears. The band handed out signed flyers and left the crowd with a fantastic lasting impression.
 
Chloe Mitchell
Harris Academy Falconwood