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Ivyrise and Stewart Mac win right to open for Bon Jovi this weekend at Twickenham Thursday, 26 June 2008

A four-piece indie band and a 28-year-old singer-songwriter are the winners of ­thelondonpaper’s competition to find two acts to support Bon Jovi at their London concerts­ this weekend.

Ivyrise and Stewart Mac, both from London, will open for the band in front of 60,000 fans at Twickenham on Friday and Saturday.

“This is fantastic,” said Ivyrise vocalist Ben Falinski when he was told the news. “We’re over the moon.”

The band have just finished a nine-date tour of the UK promoting their debut single Tips, which reached No 7 in the indie charts . The tour ends with a gig at the ­Clapham Grand in front of 500 fans.

“I think it’s going to be ­fantastic,” said Falinski­. “We’ve never played in front of more than 1,000 people before but I’m sure we’ll rise to the challenge.”

“Me and Cro [Paul Cronin, the band’s lead guitarist] have been big fans of Bon Jovi for years. I saw the article about the competition in ­thelondonpaper last week and thought we’ve got to enter this.”

The other winner is Stewart Mac, whose recent debut album, From Cautious Intent, is available on iTunes.

“I play lots of shows all over London,” he said. “Some gigs I do are solo acoustic gigs but some are with my band.”

Check out the winners...

Stewart Mac
http://www.myspace.com/officialstewartmac

Ivy Rise
www.myspace.com/ivyrise

Your comments

Guest_Malc North says: Check these guys out on MySpace and you will see why they should be supporting Bon Jovi at Twickenham! Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:10 Mark as offensive
Guest_TeeJay says: These guys really rock. Vibrant, fresh and alive. Great gigs. Vote for them - they deserve this chance. Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:10 Mark as offensive
Guest_Sam says: Shirley have the tunes and the energy to rock Twickenham!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:07 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jimbo says: Call me dense but I can Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:06 Mark as offensive
Guest_mondop says: Theory of 6 degrees are amazing. Guitar solos, great tunes, original music as well. Gotta give these young guys a chance. Awesome. Everyone get voting and see them at Twickenham!!!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:05 Mark as offensive
Guest_tom says: Lost Without Cause - Great local band from the Watford area. Always gets the crowd going, should get them involved! Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:05 Mark as offensive
Guest_anne- guest says: The band has a cool style of music and plus they look good. the lyrics are awesome and I can’t wait to listen to them again. Check them out cause I'm LOVING their tunes. Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:04 Mark as offensive
Guest_Darren Hodson says: Has to the Mercurymen, saw them at the bedford last week and they absolutley stole the show. Awesome 3 part harmonys and great guitar arrangements. Best "live" band i've ever seen. Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:03 Mark as offensive
Guest_scooter says: the theory of 6 degrees - wicked! vote vote vote for them - terrific sound - whooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 12:03 Mark as offensive
Guest_Malc says: I saw Shirley gig in Hammersmith a while back and they were great. They Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:44 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jimmy says: Amazing skills and great fun, superb sound - get them to Twickenham - go guys x Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:43 Mark as offensive
Guest_Dazexcity says: Have a listen to the Theory of 6 Degrees the are fantastic and really deserve to support bon jovi this summer Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:43 Mark as offensive
Guest_lolita4sangria says: One of the greatest unsigned bands out there - they will rock your socks, blow your minds and make you feel real frickin naughty. Go on, vote for super nashwan and feel rock take over your body, mind and soul! Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:42 Mark as offensive
Guest_Bonny says: Shirley are great and cool..had a chance to listen to them..they are worth it..vote shirley.. Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:24 Mark as offensive
Guest_Lucie says: AMAZING BAND THEY DESERVE TO WIN CHECK THEM OUT AND YOU WILL FIND OUT WHY Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:24 Mark as offensive
Guest_AIMI says: Definitely definitely IVYRISE!! Enormous talent and hugely deserving. Young guys who work extremely hard and provide everything you could want from a band...haunting melodies, superior musicianship and tunes you can seriously rock out to. Support the next generation!!!!! IVYRISE all the way. Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:21 Mark as offensive
Guest_Maddy says: Vote for Shirley!! these guys rock..come on guys.. Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:19 Mark as offensive
Guest_Craig N says: they are a great band thier music is brilliant!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:19 Mark as offensive
Guest_Chig says: YEAH THE CUT OUTS ROCK!!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:14 Mark as offensive
Guest_Van Percywinks says: I suggest thundernonce and the disco terror, with hits such as "the inches of sick" and their new single, "global warming saved my life" Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:55 Mark as offensive
Guest_Bean says: You have to vote for Super Nashwan. They are, undoubtedly, the best unsigned band at the moment. Vote Super Nashwan!!!! Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:54 Mark as offensive
Guest_Dave says: I think Rosemary deserve to support Bon Jovi, they're fantastic! Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:53 Mark as offensive
Guest_slack babbath says: please give this motley lot the chance of a lifetime. Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:54 Mark as offensive
Guest_FlameButt says: A friend took me to see a young group of guys called "The Theory of 6 degrees" and I thought they were great - I think they should get a chance to support someone big like Bon Jovi. Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:54 Mark as offensive
Guest_Mo says: There is only one band with the ability and the style to match Jovi's high standards - That is the Deccas obviously. Get a proper band not a cheap imitation! Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:55 Mark as offensive
Guest_Greg Townes says: Cool young band.... Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:56 Mark as offensive
Guest_Gregors says: Ivyrise arre definitely the band to play! Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:56 Mark as offensive
Guest_Andy P says: 'Shirley' are a fantastic bunch of guys who have worked so hard for this. Their good time music perfectly compliments Bon Jovi. Check out their myspace or their debut album Vintage on iTunes. Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:55 Mark as offensive
Guest_Tom Moody says: Rosemary Roaemary Roaemary Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:55 Mark as offensive
Guest_Ian says: brilliant band and one worth watching good luck fellas Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:52 Mark as offensive
Guest_sarah says: Check out Theory of 6 degrees! They are amazing! Talent or what-listen to the guitar solo for Sweet Child of Mine. These guys have got to win. Tuesday 24 June 2008 09:52 Mark as offensive
Guest_Danny says: I've had a listen and they're all really cool - but if it's music over gimmiks then My Friend Reject/Eject are head and shoulders above the rest... Tuesday 24 June 2008 02:45 Mark as offensive
Guest_paige says: i think the cutouts would be great Tuesday 24 June 2008 01:12 Mark as offensive
Guest_cutouts1 says: I just went through the list and stopped at the cutouts, oooh i would love to see them live i don't need to listen to any of the other bands! CUTOUTS ROCK Tuesday 24 June 2008 00:28 Mark as offensive
Guest_bek says: obviously it has to be the cutouts these girls are AMAZZZZINGGGGGGGGG Tuesday 24 June 2008 00:27 Mark as offensive
Guest_kevin says: Ive checked them all out and typical that the last one is the best! Id go for theory of 6 Monday 23 June 2008 23:26 Mark as offensive
Guest_Chris M says: Everyone should vote for Hangerlane they have a massive sound and are a great bunch of guys. Heard them many times and they deserve to win this competition. Too many bands win because they have hundreds of friends not fans. I'll be there and would love to see Hangerlane Monday 23 June 2008 22:38 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jon Bon Jovi says: JBJ here, all the way from the good ol' rootin'-tootin' U.S of A. I think y'all should done vote for Leika. Whoo, momma! Monday 23 June 2008 22:29 Mark as offensive
Guest_Count Picnic says: Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika Leika. I think Leika are bestest. Monday 23 June 2008 22:24 Mark as offensive
Guest_mondop says: Hey everyone, you've gotta vote for these guys! Sound so professional and unbelievable talent. Check out the guitar solos!!!! perfect for Bon Jovi! Monday 23 June 2008 22:10 Mark as offensive
Guest_Chigdem says: Everybody vote for The Cut Outs pls coz they're wicked!!! Roll on Friday! Monday 23 June 2008 21:40 Mark as offensive
Guest_Mike says: OMG The Cut Outs are a brilliant band! Well done!! Monday 23 June 2008 21:40 Mark as offensive
Guest_Pierce Tweedy says: Im going on Friday to see Bon Jovi and I WANNA SEE THE CUT OUTS!!!! Hope you win! Monday 23 June 2008 21:19 Mark as offensive
Guest_mary margaret says: please cast my vote for the Meenies Monday 23 June 2008 22:24 Mark as offensive
Guest_Cut Outs fan says: i never heard of these girls before but they are going to be huge. Vote for The Cut Outs everyone. Good luck girls! Monday 23 June 2008 21:19 Mark as offensive
Guest_Adam says: I've listened to most of these bands because i love BON JOVI and WOW The Cut Outs are amazing!!! They are unsigned unlike many of the other acts so im tellin everyone to vote for them. Thanks! Monday 23 June 2008 21:19 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jak willis says: Just looked through them all (have time on my hands). If you are going to vote you have to check out theory of 6 degrees!! They are so awesome and have some insanne guitar going on! Monday 23 June 2008 20:57 Mark as offensive
Guest_Ross says: shame king lizard didnt make the shortlist - would have gone down a treat! www.myspace.com/kinglizardmusic Monday 23 June 2008 20:53 Mark as offensive
Guest_Raellie says: Leika to support Bon Jovi going on Sat myself, hope to see Leika there - sound fantastic and don Monday 23 June 2008 20:53 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jon says: Hi all. Thanks for voting for Leika so far. We're looking forward to a big one! www.leika.co.uk Monday 23 June 2008 20:52 Mark as offensive
Guest_Matt says: VOTE for STEWART MAC!! Listened to them all, and he's df the most progressive! Monday 23 June 2008 20:10 Mark as offensive
Guest_Sammie says: LOST WITHOUT CAUSE PLS Monday 23 June 2008 20:09 Mark as offensive
Guest_Cadence says: Please please please please please please vote for The Cut Outs!!! These girls deserve to share a stage with such greatness!!! Monday 23 June 2008 19:40 Mark as offensive
Guest_Jason Shaw says: There's no doubt THE CUT OUTS are the best band to support BON JOVI!!! BON JOVI+THE CUT OUTS=ROCK N ROLL!!!! They will rock Twickenham!! Monday 23 June 2008 19:40 Mark as offensive
Guest_Danny says: well done to all the bands. check out www.myspace.com/disturbancewithin Monday 23 June 2008 18:29 Mark as offensive
Guest_Alex Preston says: I saw THE CUT OUTS support Babyshambles last week and they are the most talented rock goddesses you will ever find! They have fantastic songs, play like nothing i've ever seen and are better than any guy band and bloody lovely to look at too!!! VOTE THE CUT OUTS EVERYONE!!! Monday 23 June 2008 18:30 Mark as offensive
Guest_dee says: they are stunning, unique and deserve this opportunity. Please give them your vote.