York band to support McFly at sell-out Barbican gig (From York Press)

The Pauper Kings to support McFly at sell-out York Barbican gig

7:44am Monday 20th February 2012 in Music news and reviews By Simon Ritchie

AN UP-and-coming local band have won a national competition to support McFly when they play their sell-out concert at the York Barbican.

The Pauper Kings received nearly 2,500 votes after putting a You Tube clip of themselves singing one of their own songs, Tonight, on the McFly Battle Of The Bands website.

Almost a thousand bands took part in the internet contest and the Pauper Kings were chosen to perform in York on April 17 during McFly’s Keep Calm And Play Louder Tour of Britain, which starts next month.

Brothers Arthur (keyboard and vocals), Henry (guitar and vocals) and Jack Bird (guitar and vocals), Milo Mitchinson (bass) and Nick Miller (drums) formed The Pauper Kings a couple of years ago.

They are in their early 20s and all went to Joseph Rowntree School, York, except for Nick, who went to Easingwold School.

The friends who make “infectiously harmonious pop rock music” have been performing as session musicians in musicals throughout the UK over the last five years, including Vampires Rock and Bat The Symphony and have gained a huge fan base.

Nick, of Haxby, said: “We are all really excited that we won and are looking forward to it.

“We would like to thank all our fans for voting for us. Supporting McFly at The Barbican in our home city is just perfect.” The Pauper Kings, whose influences include McFly and The Feeling, currently have an EP out and are in the studio recording their first album which they hope will be released sometime this year.

Last year the band performed on Channel 4s Come Dine With Me and they have also appeared on the Paul O’Grady Show.

For more details on the Pauper Kings visit thepauperkings.com