AN ISLAND musician got the chance to showcase his band, Another Sky, on the acclaimed music television show, Later with Jools Holland last week.

Getting booked for a slot on Later is one of the greatest honours for an up and coming band, and Jack Gilbert, 23, said the experience did not disappoint.

Jack, who plays guitar for the band and is originally from Cowes, said: "It's been a crazy couple of weeks. It was really surreal and the team were amazing.

"It was very show business-like and very slick, which was a change for us."

The alternative rock band Another Sky formed five years ago at Goldsmith's University and has been making moves within the London music scene for the last few years.

Jack said: "The producers on the show heard about us as a lot of people in the music industry know who we are at the moment.

"They came to one of our gigs and we kind of blew them away. We put a lot of effort into our shows and try and make the audience's experience really great.

"We built our own lighting system which moves and circles behind each of us on the stage. Not a lot of other London bands try that hard at gigs so I think that helped us stand out."

Jack said he met Jools very briefly before the show. "He was as suave as you'd expect. You can tell he's been doing this for 25 years."

The band is heading to the studio over the next couple of weeks to record their new EP before starting their tour, which includes a headline gig in London in November.

"It feels a bit surreal. I think performing on Jools Holland has been on our minds, and on every musician's mind, so it's a bit like — what now?"

Before performing on Later, about a third of tickets for their headline show had sold. Now, the gig is sold out.

"The reaction has been a bit mixed. Our songs are a bit weird and some people just don't like that, so we've had a fair share of hate amongst the love. The love has been great though."

David Pontin, director at Platform One College of Music where Jack studied for two years before heading to Goldsmiths, said the staff are really proud of Jack.

David said: "He had such a drive, passion and enthusiasm as a student at P1. Jack always listened and always wanted to learn.

"There was never any doubt that he would go on to go great things. This kind of success is what we want from every student."

Jack said his time at P1 was helpful, supportive and inspiring.

"They were so supportive and helped me so much. I was always in the studio more than I should have been. If you work hard, they notice and they push you.

"P1 is a great place to go and just do music for two years before you go to university or try and make it in the industry. It really broadened my horizons."

Watch Another Sky in action: