CALDICOT band Rusty Shackle will play to 18,000 people at the Welsh capital's Olympic Torch celebrations.

They won a battle of the bands competition against some of Wales's best musicians to win a place on the stage at The Big Gig in Cardiff.

Lead singer Liam Collins said: "If you said we were going to play in front of 1,800 people we would have said 'wow' but 18,000 is something else.

"Last night we played in a club in Cardiff in front of 40 people but we enjoy it anyway.

"We didn't think we'd won because there were so many great bands playing.

"When they announced second we knew we'd won or come nowhere. We thought a rapper called Dretonio had won it.

"Most of the people who'll be at The Big Gig won't have heard us before so we'll do some of our usual stuff but we're writing new songs all the time.

"As long as we get the crowd bopping we'll be happy."

The Olympic Torch relay special city celebration will take place in Cooper's Field near Cardiff Castle on May 25.

Also on the bill for the free, ticketed concert will be Brit Award winner Emily Sande.

Rusty Shackle's will headline the opening night of this weekend's Devauden Music Festival.

Friday Folk kicks off at 6pm with seven bands and solo artists including Geordie "alternative folk" Stew Simpson, bluegrass four-piece Blue Horyzon.

Rocking Saturday starts at 1.30pm and features 17 acts from ska to indie and AC/DC tribute band Bonfire.

For more information, including details of free buses from Chepstow, Caldicot and the surrounding villages, visit http://www.devaudenmusicfest.com">www.devaudenmusicfest.com