A NEW two-piece band have secured their first gig in Manchester after impressing music bosses with a recording of their debut single.

St Mary’s Catholic High School sixth form students Owen Murphy and Joe Walsh, both 18, joined forces to form Friend The Foe six months ago.

They have been asked to support critically-acclaimed band China Lane in a gig at Manchester Academy 3 next Saturday after wowing Dusty Pop Entertainment with their indie track High Tide.

Lead singer Joe wrote the song, with Owen providing backing harmonies and playing the guitar.

Joe said: “The gig will be completely surreal.

"We were talking to each other when we were looking at the tickets for the gig and thinking it was crazy because they are similar to the ones we have stuck on our walls.

“Playing at that venue will be a brilliant experience for us.”

Owen added: “We didn’t expect anything to come from sending the track off to Dusty Pop, but we got a phone call from the company the next day giving us the opportunity to perform as a support act.

“We are grateful and excited to be given the chance to showcase our music in such a well-known and professional venue and are thrilled to be supporting such a great band.

“Despite Joe and I having different songwriting styles, we work well together and have created a number of upbeat songs that are fun to play and provide a good time for all audience members.

“As we only have two vocalists and an acoustic guitar we have purposely written songs to make audiences feel good.”

The duo are in the final year of their BTEC music course at the sixth form on Manchester Road in Astley.

They have performed together at Wigan hotspots The Venue and the Bailiff Bar and headlined a show at Fifteens of Swinley in the town.

Upcoming gigs include an Easter Sunday performance at The Queens in Tyldesley and a set at the Night and Day Café in Manchester on April 14.

They say they are inspired by a range of artists, with Joe influenced by soul artists such as Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke and Owen preferring pop stars like Ed Sheeran and James Bay.

The doors will open at 7.30pm for the Manchester Academy 3 gig, with tickets being available for £7.

For tickets or more information visit fatso.ma/bG1G.