Jersey teen 'shocked' at winning music competition

Tuesday, 16 June 2026 08:00

By Harry Booth

A teenage guitarist is celebrating winning the Jersey Contemporary Musician competition.

Four young local musicians battled it out at the Haute Vallee school theatre last weekend.

17-year-old Josh Davey went up against the winners of their respective category to perform a set in front of a live audience.

Annabelle Brown (vocals)
Tilly Jablonski (drums)
Alexander Turpin (keyboard)

Josh performed 'Something Human' by Muse, 'Sounds Like Balloons' by Biffy Clyro, and 'Reapers' by Muse.

The contest is organised by Jersey Music Service.

Performances were adjudicated by experienced musician and education leader Stuart Whatmore from London's Tri-Borough Music Hub.

Josh said:

"It wasn't easy. It was probably one of the hardest competitions there could have been. For instance, Tilly, I've known her and taught her and she's incredible, and that just shows the skill we have on the island.

"The fact that I went against the best of each instrument and came out on top... I think I was more shocked and it hit me when I was driving home after I dropped my mum off and I was screaming in the car!"

This is the second year of the competition, with last year's winner, Matt Jackson, giving a special guest performance alongside a live band during Saturday's final.

Josh added:

"I'm just so happy that I could be the second person to ever win and share that award with Matt Jackson, because I can't imagine there being anyone else that could be worthy of holding that for the first time as Matt Jackson, because he's just incredible!"