March 28, 2012 10.56 am This story is over 143 months old

From Lincoln to London: Local band to play O2 arena

Recognition: A Lincoln band could find themselves on the stage of various festivals this summer, if they win a national competition.

A Lincoln folk band has been presented with the opportunity to perform in front of thousands at the O2 arena, after impressing a panel of judges.

Pheasants and their Enemies made it though to the finals of the Live and Unsigned competition, which aims to showcase unsigned musicians across the county.

Pheasants and their Enemies is comprised of Stewart Aisthorpe and Luke Dawson, both coming from rural Lincolnshire, which reflects in their folkish sound.

The band became one of the top artists in the region, and are now in the heat to win in the North and North West Final on May 20.

The O2 Arena gig on July 14 will make up part of the Grand Final of Live and Unsigned, which is part of LiveFest — a big indoor festival in London.

As well as performing in front of large audiences at the arena, the band will also perform for judges from BBC Radio One, Kerrang and Choice FM.

The winners of Live and Unsigned will not only win a £10,000 cash prize and a £10,000 publicity investment, but slots on various summer festivals, in both the UK and Europe.

Dawson said: “We are now only one round away from playing live at the 02 which as you can imagine would be a major accomplishment for us.

“Prior to the competition we had only busked on Lincoln High Street and played a number of small venues such as the Bottle and Glass in Scothern.

“On Sunday night however we took to the stage at Sheffield City Hall, a venue played by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, and were voted through as one of the judges favourite acts. Its all very surreal!”

Event Director of Live and Unsigned Chris Grayston said: “When you consider the amount of entries we had this year it’s a big deal to have got to this stage, and be just one performance away from fulfilling the dream of performing at The O2, one of the best music venues in the world.”

For tickets to the Live and Unsigned finals to see the band in action, visit the competition’s website.