Earlestown band The Ks join Solo Music Agency

The Earlestown four-piece have joined the Solo Music Agency with 'huge plans' now in the offing.

Other worldwide artists who have a partnership with Solo include Neighbourhood Weekender headliner James, Madonna, Little Mix, Justin Timberlake, Iggy Pop, Phil Collins, Shakira, Sting and Ronan Keating.

It is the next step on the Earlestown band's rise to fame after previously working with Alan McGee, the Creation Records icon who launched the career of Oasis.

And it has put a smile on the face of frontman Jamie Boyle after a very tough 2020 when the pandemic saw The Ks having to cancel pretty much all of their schedule.

He said: "We’ve had a really hard time because we had such a big year planned.

"It felt like we were finally achieving everything we’d worked towards and to have it all taken away from us was a killer.

"It’s been difficult at times but we’ve stuck to it – we’ve believed in what we’re doing – and we’re reaping the rewards of that now.

"The plans being made are amazing. We’re all so excited about it. This is definitely going to take us to the next level."

The Ks crossed paths with John Giddings – the founder of Solo Music Agency – at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2019.

Jamie added: "Solo runs the Isle of Wight Festival and we played there in 2019 on the smallest stage through Mikey Jonns, who owns This Feeling which is a small promoter for up-and-coming bands.

"Mikey managed to get us on there and John must have liked us because this year we’ve been moved from the smallest stage to the biggest stage.

"We got talking and we ended up signing through his agency."

Most of the plans are under wraps but Jamie hinted at what is to come.

The singer, whose debut single Sarajevo with The Ks was an instant hit on music streaming sites, said: "We’re booking some really big shows – supporting some really big names and we’ve got a big tour planned of our own which is not just in the UK but the wider world.

The band celebrating with Solo Music Agency

"It’s under wraps at the moment so I can’t give too much away but it’s looking good. We’re all really excited about it."

John has worked on some of the bestselling concert tours by the likes of the Rolling Stones, U2 and Madonna.

The Ks are also working alongside Solo's Charly Beedell-Tuck who is building a roster of the best emerging artists.

Jamie, whose dad taught him to play guitar when he was 14, said: "It’s really mad because when I was speaking to John and Charly the other day they were telling these amazing stories about all the people they work with and to them that’s just their normal life.

"It was absolutely crazy for us to be sat there with these people reeling off stories about the Stones and David Bowie and Iggy Pop and all these legends from years ago and now.

"It still feels a bit surreal but we’re just drinking it in."

From a word of mouth sensation with millions of listens on Spotify to catching the ear of Alan McGee and John Giddings, Jamie says that sense of momentum gathering around the band feels tangible now.

He added: "We’ve not released anything for ages and our numbers are still growing on social media and we’re selling more tickets than we’ve ever done so we’re doing something right.

"We just can’t wait to get back to it and do what we do best.

"We still see each other because we’re in a bubble together professionally and as restrictions have been relaxed we’ve been practising as normal a couple of times a week.

"We’re getting all the new stuff ready for tour – whenever that may be.

"There are some dates we’re having to reschedule because of the delay in restrictions lifting but Solo are looking after that now which is a massive weight off our shoulders.

"We’ve got such a good team. You can just tell we’re going to work together really well. Everyone trusts each other and everyone believes in what we’re doing."

'Huge plans' with Solo are one thing but Jamie is actually most excited about a gig that will take place a few miles from his house.

"I can’t wait for Neighbourhood Weekender in September," he said.

"It’s my birthday weekend as well so I couldn’t be more excited about playing the main stage in my hometown."