Warwickshire band Livin' on a Prayer!
A Warwickshire band who supported Bon Jovi at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry admitted it was “awesome”.

richlife played a 30-minute set at the £113 million venue after winning Mercia’s Battle of the Bands competition to take to the stage ahead of The Feeling and Bon Jovi at the concert which attracted between 33,000 and 34,000.

Lead singer Richard Sharples, who has just completed a two-year music technology course at Warwickshire College, said the whole experience had been amazing.

“It was fantastic seeing everyone joining in and singing your songs back to you,” said the 18-year-old, who lives in Fenny Compton.

“We don’t have a record deal but you never know who was watching on the night. It was wicked that Bon Jovi turned up before we had started.

“It was a fantastic experience and such a big opportunity. It was awesome.

“We have played in front of 10,000 at Plymouth Hoe at the South West Summer Party ahead of Girls Aloud and Rachel Stevens but this crowd was definitely the largest crowd we have played in front of.”

Richard along with Nathan Anderson-Barr (20) from Shotteswell and 21-year-olds Ben Gurney from Brackley and Jamie Archer from near Brackley formed richlife five years ago.

Richard found about the radio competition from one of his friends on the music technology course at the Leamington site of Warwickshire College.

“We sent off a recording of one of our songs, Looking Back, and we were short-listed for the final five,” he said.

“The live semi-final was at The Crew in Nuneaton and our name was drawn out of hat to go on stage first.

“Every competition we have done we have always started first – I just thought if we were going to win this we have to give it our all and set the standard.

“Our tutors at college were all really pleased for us that we won the competition and it was just a fantastic night.”
Frank Swales, Richard’s music tutor at Warwickshire College, added: “Richard has been a keen, ambitious, enthusiastic and determined student.

“We were all really pleased that the band was given a platform to show their talents at such a massive concert in the region.”

PICTURE CAPTION: richlife perform on stage ahead of the Bon Jovi concert at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry