THE University of Hertfordshire 2012 Summer Ball takes place in Hatfield tomorrow (Friday) night with more than 3,000 students set to party to the likes of Labrinth, Radio 1 DJ Trevor Nelson, Roundabout Zoo, Korda Marshall and girl group The Folk.

WHEN the likes of rapper Labrinth and dubstep producer DJ Fresh appear live at this year’s University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union Summer Ball there will be four starstruck teenagers watching from the wings.

However, unlike the student audience at the Hatfield-based uni on Friday night, Lauren Deakin Davies, Lucy Holmes, Rose Goodship and violinist Sam Saward will also be performing live on stage at the College Lane Campus in the EleHouse from 10pm.

Better known as up-and-coming acoustic popsters The Folk, the four girls will be appearing at the annual student bash – despite not being old enough to buy alcohol themselves.

After live appearances on Knebworth-based Jack FM, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire and the University of Hertfordshire’s own Crush radio station, there’s a real buzz about The Folk.

They have progressed from busking on the streets of Hertford to appearing at the uni’s ball – all while still studying for their A-Levels at Freman College in Buntingford.

Having played this month’s Mayfest Sunday Live all-dayer at the Hertford Corn Exchange, the girls are looking forward to appearing in Hatfield.

Ever the consummate professionals on stage, the girls are overawed teenagers when talking about who they’ll be joining on the uni’s summer ball bill.

Techno geek and guitarist Lauren, 16, said: “Seeing our band’s name on the same poster as such big artists felt so fantastically unreal.

“It is such an honour that someone has put us on the same event with such influential musicians and I love it so much.

“The thought of seeing such important artists gives me the shivers!”

Lead singer Lucy, also 16, added: “I’m gonna be like ‘Labrinth, come in!’

“I’m always jamming to Earthquake in the car, so this opportunity is amazing and too exciting. I keep grinning randomly.”

Ukulele maestro Rose, 17, is also looking forward to the May 25 event.

“I feel so privileged to play on the same bill as such inspirational artists,” she said.

“It is going to be such an amazing evening, the atmosphere is going to be incredible. Really can’t wait!”

The girls recently played the Alternative Escape in Brighton, and they are also booked to appear at Hitchin’s Rhythms of the World festival on both days in July.

ROTW performance director Steve Smither recently said on BBC Three Counties: “I see hundreds of new young bands every year but The Folk stand head and shoulders above the rest.

“The Folk have real star quality and a maturity way beyond their years.”

The teenage quartet’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed in celebrity circles either, with Martha Lane Fox, the founder of Lastminute.com, sending the band best wishes for debut single release When It Rains.

DJ Gary Crowley asked for a physical copy of the record and iconic producer Steve Levine, the man behind Culture Club’s biggest hits, has been retweeting the band.

Former Gadget Show presenter Suzi Perry has also taken to Twitter to sing the group’s praises, as has DJ Tony Blackburn.

The girls will be looking to win a few more fans on Friday night. Maybe even some of those also appearing on the bill.