RISING rock stars have hit the right note at two of the country's biggest music festivals.

Stagecoach, a power-pop grunge band with a hint of folk, performed at the Reading and Leeds festivals over the weekend to rapturous applause.

The band, which comprises John Harrington and Tom Lewis, from Reigate, and Matt Emery, Luke Barham, and Nick Tanner, all from Dorking, played on the BBC Introducing stage at the festivals.

Drummer Matt said: "It was incredible and couldn't have gone any better. It was a dream come true.

"We had a really healthy crowd who were really going for it."

The band, which is signed to Alcopop Records, played a 25- minute set at both the Reading and Leeds sites after being selected to perform by Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens.

Matt, 24, added: "Huw put us forward for the festival as his pick.

"All the BBC teams pick a band to represent their area."

Matt told the Mirror that Reading is the one festival he has always wanted to play at.

He said: "It was so surreal seeing the bands I'd grown up listening to, after we'd been on stage."

Stagecoach started life as a two-piece with lead singer and acoustic guitarist Luke and electric guitarist Nick before being joined by bassist John, mandolin player Tom and finally Matt, who joined three-and-a-half years ago.

The group is playing three more festivals in the coming weeks, in Dorset, Gloucester and Portsmouth and has released two EPs – We Got Tazers in 2009, and Crash My Ride, earlier this year.

Matt said: "After the festivals we'll be hitting the studio to record our new single which will come out in November.

"Our ultimate dream is to become a full-time band because it's all part-time at the moment.

"Hopefully we'll be doing the album next year and doing a busier festival season including Glastonbury and go on tour."

Visit www.myspace.com/stagecoachuk for more on Stagecoach.