After a three year hiatus, Cranleigh Live returned to the Speech Hall for two back-to-back performances of live music. With the tradition of ‘RocSoc’ resigned to the archives of Cranleigh, this format of Cranleigh Live is an opportunity for solo artists and established bands to perform to a welcoming crowd of friends, parents and staff. The two-hour show featured a line up of twenty-five songs from various genres and decades, from ‘Teenage Kicks’ by the Undertones, to ‘I Have Nothing’ by Whitney Houston; each act struck the stage with a joyous energy being back on stage again, or for the first time at Cranleigh.
From the energy onstage, the backstage vibe was equally buzzing. In much the same way as theatrical productions, the moments psyching-up in the wings and feeling the same emotions as fellow performers in the green room are formative. There is equality in experience from the youngest Fourth Form to the eldest Upper Sixth leaver.
I am immensely proud of the effort and musicality each act had put into their rehearsal and performance. Many of the bands had been rehearsing their songs and sets since January, with some of the solo acts stepping up for their first soundcheck with a live band the day before; something that takes true professionalism. There are great things to come from our junior musicians next year, and we look forward to the bar being set ever higher by the seniors.
There will be a number of ‘Open Mic’ nights coming up in the Michaelmas term for new and established musicians to hone their act, with a special Motown show at the end of the Lent term.
Special thanks must go to a the brilliant Technical Team; Libby, Ned, Tom, Charlie, Archie and Freddie, without whom the performances would not have been possible. Mr Humphreys created a stunning lighting plan for Tom to plot and design on, delivering some of the speediest and best stage lighting seen at one of these shows in years. Thanks must also go to the Facilities Team for turning the venue from exam hall into ‘gig mode’ so swiftly in the busiest of weeks.
The Set List
| Move On Up | Curtis Mayfield |
| Eleanor Rigby | The Beatles |
| One Day Like This | Elbow |
| I Have Nothing | Whitney Houston |
| Blow | Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars |
| Little Talks | Of Monsters & Men |
| Louder Than Words | Tick, Tick, Boom! |
| Goodbye Earl | The Chicks |
| Angel | Sarah McLaughlan |
| I’ll Be Waiting | Adele |
| Hypersonic Missiles | Sam Fender |
| Creep | Radiohead |
| Teenage Kicks | The Undertones |
| Original | Max Jones |
| Basket Case | Green Day |
| A Moment Like This | Leona Lewis |
| Elliot’s Song | Dominic Fike |
| Sign Of The Times | Harry Styles |
| Never Enough | The Greatest Showman |
| Found What I’ve Been Looking For | Tom Grennan |
| Panama | Van Halen |
| Momentary Bliss | Gorillaz, slowthai, Slaves |
| Hide Away | John Mayall & The Blues Breakers |
| Snow (Hey Oh) | Red Hot Chilli Peppers |
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