Hordes of screaming fans, a sea of signs and the best live music maestros in the country – forget Glastonbury, this was the grand final of Live and Unsigned 2009.

Sandy showmen Horseman Shakes and The Drayman were flying the flag for Beds at Portsmouth's Guildhall on Saturday and despite delivering a rocking performance, narrowly missed out on the £20,000 prize.

Rhythm guitarist Dom Notarangelo said: "It was quite a good day overall, but we were a bit gutted.

"When we didn't get there we were like: 'Oh well, that's just, you
know'. Still, we gave it our best shot."

The band was chosen for the final from more than 10,000 acts that
entered the competition.

Having battled through the auditions, regional final and midlands
area final, Horseman Shakes and The Draymen was one of only 18
bands to be chosen to perform in front of the music industry's most
influential, including former Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren
and Radio 1 DJ Annie Nightingale.

To listen to Horseman Shakes and The Draymen visit www.myspace.com/
horsemanshakesthedraymen