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The Bedales Rock show is a remarkable showcase for the extraordinary musical talent and professionalism of Bedales students - and the 2026 show was possibly the best ever!
You can watch the recording HERE.
Ninety two students spanning all five year groups of Bedales Senior took to the stage for this year’s Rock Show, with three sold-out nights of incredible performances in the Olivier Theatre. Showcasing an eclectic setlist ranging from The Who to Rihanna and The Prodigy to Raye, plus some fantastic originals, the two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza proved once again why the Rock Show is such a highlight of the Bedales year.
As well as some incredible up-to-the-minute re-imagined covers (think Raye 'Where the hell is my husband?') and iconic re-worked classics including 'Roxanne by the Police, the line up included many self-penned original songs, impeccably performed and accompanied by the students.
For those who couldn't be there in person, the show was livestreamed for a sixth consecutive year, reaching over 2,000 viewers across six (!) continents. As ever, the energy, talent and dedication of the students made it an unforgettable experience. The only question now: how do we top it in 2027?
Head, Will Goldsmith heralds the Rock Show as one of the many opportunities at Bedales from which students develop skills they take with them for the rest of their lives.
"What struck us all this year was the range of students involved. From flute, violin, saxophone, ‘cello, organ and trumpet to the classic drum kits, electric keyboard and a dazzling array of electric guitars, the different instrumentalists involved is impressive. The genres covered are also highly varied and give almost anyone listening a chance to sing along to one of their favourite tunes.
We also have students from Block 3 all the way to 6.2, sharing the stage, working together in an expertly choreographed set with a host of people behind the scenes – technicians, programmers (including our Music Tech Don) and music teachers without whom the show could not have gone on."
The Rock Show is the result of hours, days, weeks and months of hard work, rehearsals, practice, tenacity and bravery.
These experiences, for some, might lead to a career in the world of the creative arts but, for others, the ability to work as a team, to be creative, to hold a crowd in the palm of their hand will be transferred to other domains. Aside from what they learn, they also have the sheer joy of self-expression and of sharing their art with others at a time of year when we all need a bit of a lift.
From its humble beginnings as the ‘Dunhurst Guitar Concert’ and its breakthrough year as a fully-fledged rock show in the Bedales Olivier Theatre supported by The Who’s Pete Townshend, the Rock Show has been a Bedales institution for over two decades and has been livestreamed every year since 2021.
Over the years, the show has been the springboard for performers including Marika Hackman, Jamie Campbell Bower, Delilah Montagu, Minke, Abi Morris from The Last Dinner Party, WYNNE and Gabriel Bruce.
It remains a remarkable demonstration of the extraordinary talent and versatility of Bedales students.
The opening night of this year’s Rock Show also marked the launch of the Music Studio appeal, to support the full refurbishment of the creative space where countless songs have been written and unforgettable performances have taken shape.
The refurbishment builds on the Rock Studio’s legacy to give future students the opportunity to bring their own musical projects to life. The final phase refurbishment is underway. Walls, floors and fixtures are almost all in place and there are just a few final pieces of the puzzle left to complete.
You can watch Neil Hornsby, Senior Head of Contemporary Music, as he takes us on a tour of how the Studio refurbishment is progressing HERE.
If you would like to support the Rock Studio Appeal and help us complete the final phase of refurbishment, you can do so by clicking HERE.
View the 2026 Rock Show photo gallery (from photographer Gemma Klein) HERE.
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