King’s Cross hostel gives helping hand to bands bidding to be next Arctic Monkeys

It’s a common problem for up and coming new bands – particularly those from the northern territories.

They may have the rockstar good looks, the songs, the skills, but how can they make it big without playing the big city?

With so many must-play venues on the circuit, traditionally hot young beat combos have headed down in a van, played a gig, then headed straight back up the M1, often meaning a horrifically late night and some very tired faces at their day jobs.

But one King’s Cross youth hostel has come up with an innovative new scheme to give the next Arctic Monkeys a leg up in the music industry.

Stay and Play, at Clink78, in King’s Cross Road, offers struggling musicians a free bed for the night in exchange for playing a gig at their in-house bar.

This gives the young beatsmiths the chance to flaunt their musical wares at some of fo the famous hotspots in the city –- like the nearby enwabry Water Rats where Bob Dylan played his first UK gig and Oasis made their London debut.

Nicola Moore, promotions manager at Clink78, said: “It’s just a case of us doing a good deed. Before working here I worked for a record label, and also did promotions at [legendary central London venue] the Social. For five years I booked all the bands and DJs there.

“It’s a very different scene here and a very different market – we’re not catering for all the music types who come in the Social.

“We have a fair few Aussies and kiwis, but lots of Europeans which makes things a bit complicated as they often have very different tastes. But there are so many good bands from up north struggling to make their way down.

“If they perform for us we give them a bed and a discount for other nights so they can play other gigs

“It’s really nice to be able to give them a helping hand – and one of them could end up being the next big thing.”