Players from That Britpop Band say they're going to make sure Emelia Mackay "gets the biggest cheer ever heard on Weymouth seafront" when she goes to watch them. Emelia has just had a bone marrow transplant and will be a VIP at the band's show. That Britpop Band - guitarist and singer Matt Taylor (Image: That Britpop Band) Formed back in 2020 during the first lockdown, That Britpop Band burst onto the Dorset music scene as a tribute act solely dedicated to ‘the last major British movement in music’ – 90s Britpop.
Following a performance at the Boat Café on Weymouth seafront last year, they gained a fan in Emelia Mackay who was on holiday with her family - dad James, mum Steph and older sister Ellie. Emelia Mackay (Image: Jamie Mackay) The family, from Redditch in Worcestershire, visit Weymouth almost every year for a holiday but they were worried they may not be able to make it this summer. Emelia was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia at the beginning of last year, which means her bone marrow does not make enough blood cells, leaving her at risk of infections.
She underwent weekly blood and platelet transfusions following her diagnosis. Emelia Mackay (Image: Jamie Mackay) Thankfully, Emelia was matched with a bone marrow donor last autumn, and following the transplant she is doing ‘really well.’ The transplant has meant that she no longer needs the weekly transfusions.
The youngster is now doing really well according to her dad, who explained that she has reached a few ‘milestones’ recently. Emelia Mackay (Image: Jamie Mackay) This includes going back to school, having her medication reduced and having a feeding tube and central line removed. Emelia Mackay with her dad and sister (Image: Jamie Mackay) Her dad James explained that they discovered That Britpop Band - made up of Matt Taylor, Toby James, Barney Stevens and Dan Bell - last year.
He said: “It was a real escape for us on the last day of our holiday. Emelia really enjoyed it and so did her sister Ellie. “We didn’t know if we would be able to make it down again this year but thankfully, we managed to get a bone marrow transplant sorted and we are able to come down again this month.
“I messaged Matt and explained that I didn’t know if we were going to be able to make it this year and the band came back and said that they wanted to give her a shout out and a t-shirt.” Emelia Mackay (Image: Jamie Mackay) Emelia, who is a keen drummer, is unaware of the big surprise which will take place at the band’s ‘Sunset Sessions’ performance on Thursday, August 22 (7pm-9pm). Matt Taylor, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, said following performances at the Boat last year, the band received a message from James asking if they could say hello to Emelia who had watched the gig.
Emelia Mackay (Image: Jamie Mackay) He said: “Obviously, we were more than happy to oblige, but when we spoke a bit more, it transpired that Emelia was in fact extremely poorly and had to have a bone marrow transplant last September. “Thankfully, she has been an absolute heroine, is doing much better now and has even started learning the drums. Me and the lads had a chat and decided to put a little ‘That Britpop Band’ goodie-bag together for her.
“We made up a T-shirt, personalised some drumsticks and stickers, and are going to make sure she gets the biggest cheer ever heard on Weymouth seafront when they come to watch us.”.
