Mumford & Sons are to perform for US President Barack Obama.
The British folk band are popular in America, where their album Sigh No More has sold a reported two million copies.
They have been specially selected by UK Prime Minister David Cameron to take to the stage at a state dinner being held this evening at the White House.
The group are renowned for using the banjo in their songs and dressing in a country gentleman style, with checked shirts and tweed suits firm favourites.
They have also seen their profile boosted thanks to their lead singer Marcus Mumford’s relationship with the actress Carey Mulligan, who he is engaged to.
In return, Obama has requested American soul star John Legend sing at the event.
The president’s love of music is legendary, with his wife Michelle previously admitting he often sings to her when they are at home. He also showed off his vocal chords during a recent speech, bursting into a rendition of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together.
Prime Minister David touched down in the US yesterday, marking his first official visit to the country. He arranged for the cream of British talent to go with him including Homeland actor Damian Lewis and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville.
Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson is also thought to be one of the 1,000 guests attending the banquet tonight.
Damian is known to be thrilled about the impending meal, having recently spoken about it.
“I’m going to fly to Washington, have dinner and fly back. There will probably be a thousand of his closest friends but I don’t care, I’m going,” he laughed.
