The music boys paid tribute to The Beatles, Silverchair, Jimi Hendrix, INXS and more at Rockfest 2013 on Tuesday 4 June. Choreographed and coached by lead rocker Mr Chris Paton, Head of Contemporary Music at Newington College, the night was a roaring success with a special performance by Jack Jacobs (9/FL), winner of the 2013 Newington College Songwriting Competition with his song Good Girl.

The bands playing on the night ranged from all year groups with the youngest being the Year 7 Rock Club “Ballistic” who opened the show with American alternative rock band The White Stripes’ most well-known song Seven Nation Army.

Other notable mentions include Five Man Traffic Jam from Year 11 and 12 who paid homage to David Bowie’s glamrock cred. The lead vocalist Clinton Chan (12/FL) even painted a star on his face thereby channeling Mr Bowie himself. The Dropouts, a Year 10 band took on the all-time rock anthem Tribute by Tenacious D and it wasn’t even intermission yet.

As a mosh pit formed around the stage in the second half, there was no doubt the senior boys had taken centre stage belting out chart-topping tunes such as Mr Brightside by The Killers, Even Flow by Pearl jam and Get it On by T-Rex setting up a mean precedent for the staff rock band  with Jo Fabro, Mark Howard, Chris Paton, Steve Rackowski and Shaun Tarring.

Overall it was a great night with some truly memorable performances. A pat on the back goes to the music staff and boys who put on a sonic feast, and  a special thanks is extended to the sound and lighting team who worked tirelessly to make it a night to remember.