Five bands went head-to-head in a recent competition run by Mercia FM and AEG Live to support Bon Jovi, who have sold 120 million albums worldwide, at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on Tuesday night (24/06).

But four-piece band richlife, pictured above, whose members hail from the Brackley and Banbury area, clinched the golden opportunity after getting the most votes from fans.

Guitarist Ben Gurney, 21, from Castle Mound in Brackley, said: "We are so thrilled! When I first went to see Bon Jovi just two years ago, I wouldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams that we would have the opportunity to perform on the same stage."

Bass player James Lee Archer, from Hinton-in-the-Hedges, thanked all those who voted for richlife.

He added: "We worked incredibly hard all week trying to rally people to support us."

Drummer Nathan Anderson-Barr, from Shotteswell near Banbury, said: "This is the chance of a lifetime and we aren't going to miss it."
The group has based its sound on rock bands of the '70s and '80s, with a modern twist. Front man Richard Sharples, 18, from Fenny Compton, has a voice likened to rock legends Roger Daltry and Paul Rodgers.

The foursome have already played alongside Mark Owen, Girls Aloud, The Sugababes, Jamelia and Slade, and are now preparing for their support slot appearance in front of 40,000 people.

Ben Gurney's dad Dave, the band's marketing director, said: "They seem to be just taking it all in their stride, but I'm sure it will be different on the day.

"They've played in front of some fairly large crowds previously, but this will be the biggest yet."