Indie band's song adopted by NFL franchise

Conor Rabone says it is "surreal" to know 70,000 people listen to his song at Levi's Stadium in California

A British indie band has unexpectedly seen its song adopted by American football team San Francisco 49ers.

Gathering of Strangers' frontman Conor Rabone, who works as a funeral director in Redditch, Worcestershire, by day, described the situation as "bizarre".

The song, Red & Gold, is now regularly played during home games at Levi's Stadium, which has a capacity of just under 70,000.

The 49ers are now just one win away from booking their place at Super Bowl LVIII where Red & Gold could be played.

Gathering of Strangers formed in 2018 when the five members met at BIMM Music Institute in Manchester.

The band is made up of Mr Rabone, Bruce Higgs, Tom Wingate, Peter Crampsey and Andre Ilkiw.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester, Mr Rabone said he had his dad to thank for the track's success.

He explained: "It was my dad's idea as he said we needed to look for someone or something to tie it with the song.

"I have a few boys at work that like the NFL - one particular guy is from America.

"He mentioned the 49ers and they wear red and gold."

Mr Rabone then sent the song to the team in California who wrote back to say how much they loved it.

Discussing Red & Gold's popularity, he said: "They play it at the stadium at every home game to 70,000 people.

"It's very, very surreal.

"We have seen videos of it being played, it's just bizarre."

'Collective purpose'

The name Gathering of Strangers came from a piece of artwork by Nathan Coley in Manchester's Whitworth Art Gallery.

Mr Rabone said: "We just cycled past it one day on the way to uni and we loved that phrase.

"We loved how it tied into us as the boys who had come to uni as strangers and we'd come together to become friends.

"It also ties into our gigs and shows with all the people in the crowd coming as they are all strangers but they are all coming for one collective purpose."

Red & Gold has 217,000 listens on Spotify and Gathering of Strangers plans to tour again in May.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers play the Detroit Lions on Sunday with the victor going on to play at the Super Bowl on 11 February.