A CARLISLE band say they are thrilled to learn they will be performing on the same stage as their musical idols this summer.

Hardwicke Circus will this July be supporting the legendary Bob Dylan and Neil Young in London’s Hyde Park.

The band’s lead singer Jonny Foster said the performance will be both professionally and personally a milestone for the city-based group.

“These guys are our heroes”, he said. “We’ve been listening to their music growing up, and we’ve looked up to them since we started this whole thing.

“We can’t wait for it. It’s kind of blown our minds a little.”

Jonny and his six bandmates only found out about the performance recently themselves.

“We’re glad to be able to share the news with everyone shortly after we learned about it ourselves,” Jonny said.

Having been touring across the country almost non-stop for the past two years, “playing everywhere from theatres to ice rinks”, Jonny said learning that the band is to play alongside two of the most celebrated musicians of all time felt like a validation of all their hard work.

“Now finally it feels like people are beginning to take notice, which is fantastic.

“This is a huge step forward for us, and it comes as we’re getting airplay on BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio 2.

“Once we’re on stage we’ll be playing to a crowd of between 50,000 and 60,000 people.

“We’ve never done anything quite like that before.”

Hardwicke Circus have a busy summer ahead of them, already lined up to perform at the Isle of Wight festival - a major entry in the British musical calendar - and as support for the Kaiser Chiefs.

Closer to home, the band will also be performing alongside Madness in Bitts Park.

“We’re proud to say we’re from Carlisle,” said Jonny.

“We always enjoy coming back to Carlisle. We had a great time playing at The Old Fire Station just last week.”

The seven-piece band, with their blues and classic rock inflections, draw inspiration from the likes of The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, as well as the two artists they will be performing alongside in London this July.

“I used to listen to Bob Dylan and Neil Young growing up,” said Jonny.

“So to be supporting them is just amazing.”

The Hyde Park performance will be taking place on Saturday, July 12.

Later that month, Hardwicke Circus will be returning to Cumbria to perform at the Kendal Calling festival on July 27.

The band released their latest four-track EP - titled “The Jug EP” - earlier this month.