FOR an up-and-coming band to play their first gig in front of 90,000 people outside Buckingham Palace alongside Rod Stewart and James Brown might seem like the stuff of dreams.

However for six piece 70s West Coast-influenced Welsh band The Storys, that dream became a reality after a strange coincidence.

The concert was last year's Olympic Torch extravaganza and the girl who produced the television coverage for the event was the next-door neighbour of Storys' guitarist and vocalist Steve Balsamo.

It was after she heard the group's songs through her walls that she asked them if they would play the massive event, put on as part of London's successful bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012.

"It was like a huge free bar and it was amazing fun because we were just star-spotting and drinking free champagne!" said Steve.

Now the group, who recorded their debut album in a converted cinema in an ex-mining town in Wales, are set to go one step further as they have been confirmed as the warm-up act for none other than Elton John on his forthcoming 11-date stadium and arena tour.

The Rocket man will be taking in Worcester's County Cricket Ground in New Road on Sunday, June 11.

Steve said: "We're all knocked out by this and feel very lucky and privileged. We just can't wait to go out and play our songs to such a big audience of music-lovers."

The Storys, whose sound is led by four singer-songwriters, formed in 2003 and play everything from country-tinged ballads to classic rock.

After setting up their own label last year to put out their debut album, they were snapped up last Christmas by Warner, which is due to release the album on Monday, March 27.

And, as well as supporting Tom Jones, they have already played many live radio sessions for the BBC and are set to go out on their own tour before their dates with Elton.

Steve said: "It's amazing but we're not youngsters, we're all in our 30s or 40s and so we've been taking it slow."

Tickets are still available for Elton's Worcester concert, priced £40-£100, on 0870 1612123, 0871 2305442 or visiting: www.seetickets.com