IT WAS great to read about the success of the Marmosets – Rising band embark on big tour (Keighley News, October 2).

In your story you said: “The Marmosets won Keighley’s Battle of the Bands junior section back in 2008. Something set the quintet of Bingley Grammar School students apart from many other bands on the local music scene.”

As one of the judges (on behalf of Keighley Festival 2008) that evening, I can tell you what that “something” was. Having fairly recently retired from the music industry where, for more than 25 years I had promoted more than 2,000 shows, including festivals, and also promoted thousands of bands, the Marmosets came on stage and totally blew me away with a demonstration of musical dexterity I had only ever witnessed in well-seasoned professionals.

And these guys (if I remember rightly) had an average age of just 13!

That night I openly predicted to anyone who listened this band was extremely special, and if they stuck together, they would be huge. Here we are, six years on, and The Marmosets have indeed stuck together (which shows how dedicated they are), and with their first album out, and a headlining national tour to promote it, they are now on the edge of fame and fortune.

What set The Marmosets apart from other bands that night was each child (they were children!) could step forward and front the band, be it guitars, drums or vocals (taking nothing away from Becca who commanded the stage with her voice and presence). Had I still been in the music business, I would have signed them up immediately!

So, well done guys. You deserve every inch of your success, and if one of you should read this, remember: Keighley Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary in July 2015; it would be brilliant if you would return home and do a gig for us!

MALCOLM HANSON

Keighley Festival chairman