ALT-ROCK troubadours, Arkells, join Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls as lead support on their UK & EIRE tour, stopping at O2 Guildhall on Tuesday.

Having toured together previously to sold-out audiences in North America, Arkells are thrilled to join Frank Turner, one of their most vocal UK supporters, in his home market.

“Arkells have quickly become one of my all-time favourite bands,” says Turner. “Sharing the road with them over the last few years – they’ve become a big influence on my own music, as well as good friends.

“Predictably, their new song is an instant classic, pushing their sound forward and begging to be sung by a huge crowd.”

The strutting upbeat, horn-infused, politically-charged anthem, People’s Champ, is a tune written to the social climate and one that currently is sure to resonate with audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

Speaking about the track, frontman Max Kerman says: “We’re all looking for leadership that is benevolent and generous, and truly has the will of the people in everything they do.

“We’re comforted every day by the people in our neighbourhood who go the extra mile for their community – especially when they don’t have to.

“We love that person.

“This song is about the opposite of that _– it’s about the guy who acts like Robin Hood, but is the farthest thing from it.

“But that’s OK.

“Look around and you’ll find people’s champs all around ya.”