Teen Songwriter Set to Shine at Latitude Festival

A talented 16-year-old songwriter from Stonham Aspal, Suffolk, is gearing up for her debut performance at the Latitude Festival this weekend. Bella Ross, who has never attended a music festival before, will take the stage at the Inbetweeners Teen Stage on Saturday at noon. Her invitation to perform came after she impressed judges at the IEMusic Young Artist competition, where she emerged as the winner. In an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk, Bella expressed her excitement about the opportunity, stating that it has significantly boosted her confidence. “I just want people to think I’m good,” she said, highlighting the rarity of such an opportunity for someone her age. Bella's friends are also eager to support her as she embarks on this unique experience. Bella's journey to Latitude began with her performance at St. Stephen’s Church in Ipswich, where she showcased her talent among a high standard of competitors. “When the judges announced I had won, I was speechless,” she recalled, reflecting on her initial nerves before taking the stage. As she prepares for her performance, Bella has already released three singles on Spotify, including a charity song inspired by her mother’s battle with cancer. While she acknowledges she is not yet at the level of established artists like Ed Sheeran, her passion for songwriting drives her ambition to create and share more music in the future.