FROM Colchester Institute to the V Festival, Rosalita have been on a trip of a lifetime.

The five-piece band was one of two winners of the national Road to V competition to find unsigned bands to open the festival at both the Chelmsford and Stafford sites.

Rosalita, made up of Kris Andrews, 22, on vocals, Jay Goodrich, 22, on Bass, Ben Groom, 24, on keyboards, John Randall, 23, on drums and Richard Tyler, 23, on guitar, thrilled the audience on Channel 4's 4 Music stage at the popular music festival.

Kris, Jay and Richard are all former students of Colchester Institute and formed the band with friends John and Ben in 2005.

With their own fusion of ska and rock, Rosalita are hoping their win will lead to big things. But it was an emotional journey to V.

"Just before going on stage I was a little bit nervous," said vocalist Kris. "As soon as I got up there the first few words wouldn't come out then it was fine."

"I saw so many faces in the crowd that I knew, it was great," added guitarist Richard.

Speaking to the Gazette straight after their V debut, Rosalita is now hoping their performance is the start of a full time career in music.

"We are hoping to get a deal. We want to do this full time," said Richard.

Kris added: "It's not necessarily about playing massive stages all the time. We just want to make a living out of music."

After their day at Chelmsford the band travelled to Stafford to open the festival at Weston Park on Sunday.

Rosalita's members are not keen on labelling their music style.

"We never set out to sound a certain way. We have so many different influences however, the sound that comes out is pop. It's catchy and quirky. People shout that it's post modern, new wave, but I don't know what that means," said Kris honestly.

And that's why Rosalita will go a long way.

With a passion for what they do mixed with honesty and just a little cheekiness, the group has the perfect mix of style, personality and quirkiness that will guarantee them a loyal and steadily-growing following.