Ambitious teenagers who started their own band, The Bare Minimum, say they often feel ‘underestimated’ in the the industry
‘Underestimated’ teenagers, who started up their own band, say performing live on the same stage as a headline act at a popular festival was ‘breathtaking’ and ‘one of the best things in the world’.
The group of friends, who met each other during secondary school, decided to pursue their love of music together by forming a band called The Bare Minimum.
Finn Emmott, 17, of Spalding, the drummer, said: “It all started when one of our friends asked if we would be interested in playing a gig at a pub for them.
“After we spent lots of time practising, we got quite good and my mum’s partner believed in us, and brought us all of the equipment we needed to showcase our talent.
“We decided to call the band, The Bare Minimum, because the first reaction we normally get from people is, how young we are and they don’t expect us to to very good.
“I think we are quite underestimated in the industry, but as soon as we finish performing, those people who pre-judged us, often tell us how incredible we are.
“It can feel quite good when they do compliment us but it can also be difficult, especially when a group of teenagers ask to perform – they kind of take the Mickey and laugh a bit.
“I have always been interested in music and from quite a young age, I would often play instruments. I was inspired after watching someone perform the drums in an assembly at school. I came home and asked my mum if I could learn how to play the drums and she said, sure why not.”
The group also includes bassist, Rowan Armstrong, 16, lead guitarist Sophie Gleave, 16, rhythm guitarist, Sophia Wheeler, 16 and singer Sophie Mcguire, 16 – who were invited to feature on the main stage at this year’s Spalding Festival by Coun Mark Le Sage, a memb.
The event also saw Liberty X, Abz from Five and Ben from Phats and Small headline throughout the weekend.
Finn added: “Mark noticed us when we performed at the Spalding Festival in 2023 and asked if we wanted to feature on this year's main stage.
“Performing live was awesome, there was a massive crowd. We were all nervous beforehand, but once you jump on the stage – it is breathtaking.
“All of the adrenaline is just pumping around your body and it was the best thing in the world. I think the important thing for us is to try and inspire other people who have an interest in music.
“So many people supported us there and we feel that music is a language that everyone can speak. I think the coolest part for me is when people sing along – it’s the best feeling in the world.”
The band mainly covers indie and rock songs by artists such as Kings Of Leon, The Killers, ABBA, Nirvana, Joy Division and the Cranberries – but the group is currently writing their own original tracks which they hope to perform soon.
Finn explained how it can become difficult to balance band life alongside college and sixth form commitments, he said: “I am currently studying sports science at Stamford College but everyone else is at sixth form or doing their GCSE’s.
“We aim to practice once a week for two hours and if we miss a session due to commitments, we then do two sessions the following week – we are organised but have to be because we are so busy.”
*Mark Le Sage is standing to be MP for South Holland and the Deepings an independent. The other candidates are Rhys Baker (Green), Jack Braginton (Lib Dem), John Hayes (Conservatives), Paul Hilliar (Labour), Matthew Swainson (Reform).
