THE Remedy’s musical cure is spreading far and wide after guitarist Hannah Spurgeon was lined up by the X Factor.

The Ribble Valley duo have never looked back since winning the Lancashire Telegraph-backed Reidy’s Talent Contest two years ago and the subsequent interest in their haunting acoustic sound has enabled Hannah and Elliott Dryden to play professionally.

“X Factor scouted me on YouTube and invited me to London for an audition in front of the director,” said Hannah.

“I made it through the first round, but not the second.

“However, it was very exciting to be involved, to be recognised for my playing.”

Hannah also fronts Blackburn’s Be Surprised campaign, with her face having appeared on billboards, posters and public transport throughout the county.

“Last year was really exciting, and supporting James Blunt at Hoghton Tower was probably the highlight,” she added.

“It was surreal.

“We were given our own dressing room and a rider – some mints and a packet of crisps.

“When we came off stage James Blunt asked how we enjoyed it.

“That was special.

“It was brilliant to be involved at such a big event.”

The Remedy are no strangers to festivals, having provided the opening act at Bowland Forest’s Cloudspotting. And they return to the big stage as one of the support slots for Irish acoustic musician Marc O’Reilly at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre next Saturday night.

The other half of The Remedy, Elliott Dryden, added: “We’ve written quite a bit of new material, so we’ll be playing some for the first time at the Marc O’Reilly concert.

“It is a bit a departure from our previous direction – perhaps a bit more ambient – so we are looking forward to playing it. Looking back, winning the Reidy’s talent show was incredible, and it opened a lot of doors for us.”

Hannah, who is also working on a solo project, added: “It means the world to me to play music professionally because it was my dream as a child.

The Remedy have also released an EP and video to rave reviews.

“We’ve been on the radio and done gigs at The Winter Gardens, Blackpool, played during Cowes Week in the Isle of Wight, while headlining the acoustic stage at Blackburn Festival was really special,” added Hannah.

“We’ve played 22 times this year and I’m also teaching guitar too, so life is a bit of a whirlwind.”

Hannah played her first solo gig at the Grand’s Acoustic Village event, before teaming up with Elliott, where they debuted together as The Remedy for the first time at the Aspinall Arms, Mitton.

Elliott said: “I love all kinds of music, but acoustic music can be more dramatic and poignant.

“It is fantastic that Reidy’s and the Lancashire Telegraph encourage young bands like this and long may it continue.”

  • Marc O’Reilly with support from The Remedy, Sweeney Astray and Nyima Murray, Clitheroe Grand, Saturday, April 25. Details from 01200 421599.