AFTER years of gigging around Cirencester, members of one of the town’s most recognisable music groups have spoken of their delight at playing one of London’s most iconic venues.

Cirencester-based Ethemia took to the stage at London’s Union Chapel on Monday, February 3 to take part in a charity concert for World Cancer Day.

Speaking to the Standard ahead of the gig, singer Michaela Mott said that playing the London venue was a huge honour for the band.

“Playing this concert there makes me go ‘wow’. The venue is just a dream. It’s one of those places that everybody in the music world plays at some point,” she said.

Union Chapel has been the venue of choice for some of the biggest names in music in recent months such as Brian May, Paul Weller and Paloma Faith.

The duo, who were the only act on the bill from outside London, were asked to cover songs originally performed by an artist who suffered with cancer.

Singer and guitarist Berny Poulton said: “We don’t normally do cover songs as we much prefer to perform the songs we have written ourselves. But, for this one occasion, we’ll make an exception.”

Ethemia treated the audience to their own unique take on classic songs by artists such as Bob Marley and Eva Cassidy.

Making the most of being in the capital, the group played to audience of millions after being personally invited to appear on the Gaby Roslin show on BBC Radio London.

Shortly before Christmas, Michaela and Berny took the time to perform in front of terminally ill cancer patients in the oncology ward at Cheltenham General Hospital.

For more information on the band, visit www.facebook.com/ethemia.