Banging the drum for Cumbria at Superbowl LVIII

Drummer Pete Crampsey, left, with Gathering of Strangers bandmates Bruce Higgs, Conor Rabone, Andrew Ilkiw and Tom Wingate

The Super Bowl is a worldwide highlight of US sports and entertainment, which this year will feature a Cumbrian drummer.

Sunday’s game between Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will be watched by a global audience of about 115 million.

While Usher takes centre-stage for the half-time show, Pete Crampsey and his band Gathering Of Strangers will provide the soundtrack as the 49ers enter the field at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Their song Red & Gold was adopted by the club this season.

'Pretty mind-blowing'

The band emailed the 49ers earlier this season, offering the track for the team's walk-out music.

Carlisle-born Crampsey admits: “We’re still pinching ourselves that they replied to our email, let alone agreed to use our track.

“The idea that millions of people around the world could hear it on Sunday is pretty mind-blowing.”

The five-piece band was formed at Manchester University in 2015, and have built up a following across the north west of England with their brand of anthemic rock.

Superbowl LVIII will be played at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas

Crampsey says: “We’ve always been big fans of American bands and our music reflects that influence, which is maybe why the 49ers have taken it on.

"Hopefully exposure during the Super Bowl will open a few doors for us – it certainly doesn’t get any bigger.”

So far they haven’t visited the USA, but the band got the chance to meet the 49ers when they played in London last year.

They plan to watch Sunday’s match at a big screen event being staged at Leeds United's Elland Road stadium.