An unsigned band from Wigan are within touching distance of playing alongside Bruce Springsteen and Paul Weller after winning Hard Rock Rising’s regional final in Manchester.
Boomin, who describe themselves as a pop-rock band, beat acts from across the north of England to win the Manchester regional final of The Global Battle of the Bands 2013.
They now join 95 other bands from across the world, whittled down from 12,000, for the chance to play at the Hard Rock Calling festival at the Olympic Park this summer.
Bassist Rory O’Grady said: “It felt amazing when we won. It was probably one of our biggest achievements to date.
“The joy on the fans faces was unforgettable and it was a very humbling experience.”
The band, which also consists of brothers Adam and Edd Langmead, have been together for seven years and say they are a cross between Green Day, Queen and Blink 182.
The trio are just one of two British bands left in the competition, joining the winners of London’s regional final.
The eventual winner will also get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete a mini tour in Hard Rock cafes across the world.
They’ll also receive £10,000 of music gear and be able to record their own album with the publisher’s record label.
Rory added: “We believed in our own ability and the power of our songs, but when we saw the amount of fans the other Manchester band brought, we did start to think.”
“Also, we thought we might not have been ‘rocky’ enough for some of the judges, so it was a tight decision.
“If we win the competition, we’ll run down the street naked!”
For winning the regional heat, the band will also get the chance to play a festival in Manchester in front of 5,000 people.
The band have already achieved notoriety, gaining support from legendary Queen guitarist Brian May – while also boasting more than 11,000 fans on Facebook.
Voting for the final begins on Monday April 22, with the band needing to finish in the top 25 to have any chance of going through.
Judges, which may include music professionals and celebrities, will then pick a winner and two runners-up.
Picture courtesy of Lord_Henry, with thanks.
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