Liverpool band to support Bon Jovi in Manchester‏

Xander & The Peace Pirates

Real Radio is delighted to announce Xander & The Peace Pirates as the winners of their competition to win the opening slot for giants of rock, Bon Jovi when they play Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket ground on the 24th June.

The Liverpool band entered Real Radio’s competition which invited bands and solo artists to submit their demo online for this once in a lifetime chance to support Bon Jovi.

The competition culminated on Tuesday night at The Manchester Club Academy where a play off between the final six bands saw Xander & The Peace Pirates emerge the victors in a hard fought battle of the bands through a judging panel which included Real Radio’s Programme Director Dave Shearer and Amy Farrant from the promoters of the Bon Jovi concert, AEG Live.

Xander & The Peace Pirates - made up of lead guitarist and singer Keith Xander, his brother Stuart Xander on rhythm guitar, vocalist and Bass player John Bird, drummer Jake Woodward and Chris Howard on Keyboards - command a strong following across the north west live circuit and their video’s on YouTube have received more than 100,000 views.

They have supported such musical legends as former Mr Big and Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The James Taylor Quartet and are the resident band in Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club. Their new album, "11" is available on iTunes and Amazon now.

Dave Shearer, programme director for Real Radio North West and one of the judges at the final said: “Xander & The Peace Pirates were so strong, a great live presence and fantastic songs that hit the spot and stayed with you.

"With Keith up front the band projected with the confidence of a stadium filling act and really felt as if they belonged alongside such a great act as Bon Jovi.

“We are delighted to have found Xander & The Peace Pirates to open for one of the biggest bands in the world today. We wish them the very best for the gig and look forward to hearing much more from them in the future.”

Paul Meades, friend and promoter who entered Xander & The Peace Pirates in the competition concluded: “This is just a dream come true. The Band gig so hard with their own music and win audiences over at every gig they play, so to be performing to potentially 50,000 new fans is just going to be incredible; let alone supporting Bon Jovi which still hasn’t sunk in.

"Everyone connected with the band want to thank our fans for their continued support and of course Real Radio and Bon Jovi for this incredible opportunity.”


www.myspace.com/xanderandthepeacepirates

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