A band is celebrating after broadcasting its music live to a top rock festival from a Gravesend bedroom.

Last Saturday amateur hard rock group After The Ordeal played a 15-minute set from a house in Whitehill Road that was beamed by satellite to the Download Festival main stage in Derby, watched by a crowd of 50,000 music lovers.

Formed in August last year, the five-piece band usually plays at local venues, like The Red Lion pub in Crete Hall Road, Northfleet.

But its dreams of playing in front of thousands came true after winning a competition hosted by Red Bull Bedroom Jam to perform the world’s first virtual gig – which was "an incredible experience" according to guitarist Rhys May.

The 17 year-old, of The Fairway, Gravesend, said: "I have never heard of another band doing anything like this before. We were up against some tough competition but thanks to the people who voted for us we won."

After The Ordeal will be playing at the Mungload Festival at the Red Lion on Saturday, June 27. Its track A Means To An End is available to buy on iTunes from June 29.

For the full story see this week's Gravesend Messenger.

For more information on the band visit www.myspace.com/aftertheordealuk