THE path from Bury to Beverley Hills is not a particularly well-trodden one, but that was the route taken by one band when they headlined one of Los Angeles' most prestigious music venues.

Indie rockers Lyerr followed in the footsteps of some of music's biggest names by taking to the stage at The Roxy Theatre last month.

The band were afforded the opportunity to play the iconic Sunset Boulevard venue, which has previously hosted the likes of Bruce Springsteen, The Ramones and Neil Young, after entering a competition run by Virgin Atlantic.

To mark the airline's inaugural flight between Manchester and Los Angeles, a search was launched for a North West band to travel to the US and play a gig.

The competition was judged by former Oasis band member Andy Bell, who selected Lyerr as his favourite.

Only days later, the band were flying out to the US in first class, an experience they described as "surreal".

After touching down on May 26, they spent time sampling the sights and sounds of LA before taking to the stage the following evening.

They treated a crowd of hundreds to a setlist of eight songs and were even asked to return for an encore. Unsurprisingly, the band rate it as their favourite gig to date.

"It was great for us to play a venue like that," said the band's lead singer and guitarist Ryan Johnson.

"The history of the place is unbelievable. You sit there in the dressing room, thinking 'I bet these walls have seen some stuff'.

"Because of Andy, the place was packed out with fans of Oasis. It was amazing to have that many people watching us on the other side of the world."

The band is made up of Johnson and friends Rory Magner and Sam Greene ­— the trio met while playing music together at Holy Cross College ­— as well as drummer James Kershaw.

Over the past four years, they have established themselves as familiar faces on the Manchester music scene. However, they hope their recent experience can prove the catalyst for further success.

"This has really got our name out there as a band," said Johnson.

"The 1975 played there three weeks before we did. They are a big Manchester influence so it was nice to follow in their footsteps

"We were not expecting to be asked for an encore at all. Quite a lot of people waited around after and wanted to take pictures.

"The experience has not really not sunk in yet. It is a taste of what we want to become, though, and it has motivated us to push on."

Next up for Lyerr are a few shows a little closer to home, as they play Jimmy's in Manchester on July 20 before a slot at Y Not Festival in Derbyshire a week later.

This summer will see also see the band return to the studio to work on new music with a view to embarking on a mini tour by the end of the year.

Johnson explained: "Our ultimate aim is to get a record deal within the next 18 months.

"We have got about five or six songs that we think could go on an album.

"We believe they are good enough. Over the last six months, people have started to sit up and take notice."