In a celebration of community and the impact of music, Courtfield-19, a local pop/rock covers band born during the Covid-19 pandemic, were rewarded with the prestigious ‘Bringing People Together’ award at this year’s Harrow’s Heroes ceremony.
The awards ceremony took place last Wednesday evening at Headstone Manor’s Great Barn, where residents and guests gathered to honour those who have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in Harrow.
Courtfield-19, a band whose name pays homage to the streets they call home—Courtfield Avenue and Courtfield Crescent in Harrow—have become a beloved addition to the local music scene. Comprising members Alex (Vocals), Dan (Lead Guitar), Anant (Drums), Fussi (Bass), and Chris (Rhythm Guitar), the band boasts an age range spanning from 36 to 64 years.
What began as a group of neighbours sharing a passion for music during the challenging days of the pandemic quickly evolved into a tight-knit brotherhood of rockers. Like countless others navigating the uncertainties and frustrations of remote work, the band members found solace, creativity, and positivity in their jam sessions.
Over the past three years, Courtfield-19 have taken centre stage at local festivals and live music nights, including SummerFest, Oktoberfest, and The Dublin Castle in Camden. Their energetic performances have graced numerous stages in Harrow, often at the famous Trinity Bar, and they’ve made appearances at countless private parties.
However, it’s not just their music that has endeared them to the community. Courtfield-19 has wholeheartedly embraced their role as community builders. They’ve played a vital part in Harrow’s street parties, rocking the Jubilee weekend with their tunes and participating in various fundraising gigs that have collectively raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes. Most notably, they headlined the West Harrow Park Summer Fun Festival, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.
While the band’s talent and dedication earned them the “Bringing People Together” award, they were quick to acknowledge the unsung heroes behind their success—the C-19 WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends). These remarkable women have tirelessly leveraged the band’s performances to organise fundraising events, street parties, and festivals that have created ‘a ton of memories’ along the way.
“It’s an honour to accept this award for basically just rocking out and being awesome,” said Alex Jones, the band’s frontman.
“Truth be told, it’s our wives and girlfriends (the C-19 WAGS) that are the true heroes. They’ve worked tirelessly to use the band as a vehicle for numerous fundraising events, street parties, and festivals and have created a ton of memories for an awful lot of people along the way. The band has brought what were once strangers together to the sound of kick-ass rock-n-roll and helped a lot of worthy causes along the way. What’s not to love?”
Anant Joshi, the band’s drummer, expressed his gratitude for the support they’ve received from the community: “We formed Courtfield-19 as a bunch of dads looking for a way to have a bit of a laugh and bring some much-needed joy during lockdown.
“Never did we expect it to result in such an incredible honour! We thoroughly enjoy entertaining and are grateful for the support we have received. It is heart-warming to know that people appreciate our performances.”
For those looking to connect with Courtfield-19, they can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/courtfield19 and on Instagram by searching for Courtfield_19.
