Barry band The 8:48 gets to meet a hero!
First ever single to be released and second concert is announced.
Barry band The 8:48 gets to meet a hero!
A teenage band from Barry who caught the ear of a rock superstar will release their first ever single on 1st July.
The 8:48, who have a famous fan in Europe lead singer Joey Tempest, have announced their debut single ‘Off to the Sky’, which will be available on Apple Music, Spotify and others.
The band, aged from just 14 to 18, are also rehearsing for their second concert on July 7th after the success of their debut gig in April. That debut earned them a standing ovation and also raised £600 to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine.
Before that first gig, the band received a surprise video message from Joey Tempest – most famous for the worldwide hit The Final Countdown – and they were then invited to meet Joey at Europe’s sold-out show in Cardiff. On the same bill were Whitesnake and Foreigner.
Bassist, keyboard player and producer Dylan Hooper, 18, said: “It was great meeting Joey and he gave us loads of great advice. He told us to never give up on our dream but, above all, to enjoy it, which we certainly plan to do!”
Singer Kyle Bellamy, 16, said: “I can’t wait for people to hear our new song, Off to the Sky. It’s the first song I wrote with Dylan back in March 2021. Now we’ve got a ridiculously talented drummer and guitarist – and they’re just both 14! Alongside Dylan’s production, it’s really made the sound come alive.”
Drummer Dylan Clarke and guitarist Harrison Ollier were playing in the school band when they were spotted by the two founding members, who asked them to join straight away.
Dylan Hooper said: “When Kyle and I saw them play, we were just staggered at how good they were!
“We’re all so different from each other and are probably the most unlikely mix of people, but there’s an amazing musical alchemy when we’re on stage or writing, and we admire each other as musicians.”
The upcoming gig, ‘Off to the Sky…and Back!’, sees the band return to Whitmore High School on 7th July with their unique brand of high-energy rock-pop. They’ll focus on their own original songs alongside a wide-ranging selection of covers, from The Beatles to Arctic Monkeys to Harry Styles.
Tickets for the gig are available now online or on the door for £3.50. It takes place on 7th July at Whitmore High School at 7.00pm.
Simply use your phone camera to scan the below QR code to be taken directly to online booking site or click on the image:
• | Europe’s lead singer sends debut concert good wishes to ‘The 8:48’
Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
‘The importance of participation and continued learning’
Opposition leaders clash with First Minister over independence rally
How Kevin saved a stranger’s life
