Two-piece punk outfit Slaves narrowly missed out on glory at this year’s NME awards but opened the magazine’s tour.

Former Maidstone schoolboy Laurie Vincent and Tunbridge Wells’ Isaac Holman appeared at the ceremony at the O2 Academy in Brixton nominated in the best new band and best social media categories.

The pair were pipped to the first award by fellow rock duo Royal Blood, whose eponymous debut album received rave reviews when it was released in August, they also lost out in the social media category to Brit Pop legend Liam Gallagher.

Slaves went on to open the award's 11-date tour last Thursday night at The Leadmill in Sheffield, and performed latest single Feed The Mantaray alongside a roadie dressed as the sea creature.

The pair will play Newcastle's O2 Academy tonight before heading to Glasgow, Nottingham, Manchester, Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol, Portsmouth and finally London where they will play the forum at Kentish Town on March 4.

The band have also announced their first album, Are You Satisfied, will be released on label Virgin EMI on June 1.