They’re more used to playing in front of a couple of hundred people, but next week, Hardwicke Circus will be performing in front of 60,000 people in what is being called the biggest concert of the year,

The Carlisle band are supporting two of the biggest legends in music when Bob Dylan and Neil Young appear at Hyde Park tonight.

The seven-piece outfit got the chance that bands can only dream about when they were spotted playing one of their regular gigs in London.

Barry Dickins, who formed the internationally-renowned music agency International Talent Booking, saw them during their residency at the famous Hope & Anchor pub which has hosted scores of bands before they found fame - such as U2, Madness, The Clash, Keane and Dire Straits.

“He liked what he saw and our manager got a call asking if we would be able to support Bob Dylan and Neil Young,” explained Jonny Foster, singer and frontman for the band.

The booking of a lifetime is reward for the constant gigging and travelling around the country that the band has put in over the past few years.

“We have been ding it from the ground up and have never expected to be handed anything,” said Jonny.

“The fact that we have been booked to support two people we have listened to when we were growing up and who have influenced us has blown our minds.

“We were in the pub trying to get our heads round it and thought if we had been given the chance to support anyone, it would have been those two.”

“It is very exciting, but we are trying to hold it together. We are excited for it, but we will treat it like any other gig.”

The band don’t know if they will get to meet the two superstars and Jonny added: “What would you say?

The band has also signed to the ITB roster which includes Robert Plant, Christina Aguilera, The Courteeners, Public Service Broadcasting and many more.

After Hyde Park, Hardwicke Circus will be performing at Kendal Calling and could make more high-profile appearances over the rest of the year.

“Hopefully we will have more festivals or support slots coming up, but we are concentrating on writing songs and getting an album together,” added Jonny.