The lucky band set to Rock the Gate after winning the Evening Post competition to support rock legends Bon Jovi is Switchblade UK.
The four-piece, unsigned rock group was chosen to play a 15-minute set in front of 23,000 people on Wednesday when the American superstars perform at Ashton Gate.Frontman James Turner said the prize is the chance of a lifetime.
Turner, 34, from Olveston, said: ""We are absolutely chuffed. I just cannot believe it. When I entered us I was not confident at all.
""I told the band it was a bit of a last-minute thing and that we shouldn't expect any miracles.
""So, I was absolutely gobsmacked when we got through. To be voted into the top three was incredible. Then to be chosen as the best by such high-calibre judges is amazing.
""We are going to get up there for our 15 minutes of fame and rock everyone at the Gate.""
The group is made up of Turner, Mark Slavin, 40, from Oldland Common and Niko Burton, 37 and Daf Parry, 38, both from Cardiff.
They regularly gig in Bristol and further afield.
By coincidence the band has a gig at the Fleece on Tuesday, the night before the Ashton Gate show.
The decision to chose Switchblade UK as one of Bon Jovi's support acts was made by an independent judging panel made up of Paul Dallison, editor of the Evening Post entertainment guide and website Crackerjack, Sil Willcox, the Stranglers' manager, and Ed Furniss, head of marketing and media at Bristol City Football Club.
Talking about the band's winning entry, Mr Dallison said: ""It's got big drums, dirty blues guitars and menacing vocals, this song wants to take you outside and give you a good kicking and you'd enjoy it.""
Mr Willcox said: ""The song sends a strong message with Cramps being a clear influence, great performance full of attitude and swagger.""
Mr Furniss said: ""Where (runners-up) Last Orderz and JetKing court the crowd, Switchblade growl their way through an atmospheric chunk of rockabilly.""
""This hard-edged bluesy stomp would certainly appeal to the rock fans in the Bon Jovi audience."" Bon Jovi are performing at Ashton Gate stadium as part of their Lost Highway world tour.
WE'LL BE UP FOR OUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME 
2/21/2025 12:51:23 AM