DAYS before they return to the south coast, Yorkshire indie stars The Sherlocks played their biggest show so far to 2,000 fans in Manchester.

Now the hard working band of brothers, hailed as one of the most exciting new acts in Britain, are hoping their headline dates at more intimate venues in Southampton on Wednesday and Portsmouth on Thursday can come close to the epic scenes witnessed in the north.

Momentum is building – the lads sold out The Joiners and packed out The Wedgewood Rooms last year – but for now it’s still gigs in their northern strongholds like Sheffield and Manchester that truly foresee the future of where this band is heading.

In Manchester’s Albert Hall the picture was an astonishing sea of bouncing and chanting fans. Even before the headliners appeared the chants of Sherlocks Army echoed around the former Wesleyan Chapel with its huge floor, imposing open stage and a vast circular balcony.

They used to worship here and, in a different way, on nights like this they still do.

Lead singer-songwriter Kiaran, his brother and drummer Brandon, lead guitarist Josh Davidson and his brother and bassist Andy were only eight shows into a staggering 35 date marathon, but this was already like an end of tour homecoming.

New single Was It Really Worth It?, currently riding high on Radio One and BBC 6 Music, was a big hit live. Its evocative first five chords, spine tingling epic chorus and awesome lyrics make it a fearless and timeless tune from what is shaping up to be a fearless and timeless band.

Raucous single Last Night, the big sound of Will You Be There? and the urgency of Escapade are set list certainties, but there may still be some surprises for fans in the south, as Kiaran, 21, told me.

“We’ve flipped Motions, one of our old songs, on its head, just to see where it took us. What was a frantic three minutes now has a deeper country vibe. It’s different and bands can be criticised for not sounding like they have before, but if Andy and Josh are on guitar, Brandon’s on drums and I’m singing then it’ll always be The Sherlocks; we’re not scared of trying new things.”

For a young band their influences are wide. They are heirs to the great Sheffield sound, are mates with Reverend and the Makers and have played with The Libertines. Paul Weller is one of Kiaran’s heroes.

The Sherlocks, who were one of the first bands announced for this year’s Isle of Wight Festival, write and play honest, enduring songs, telling stories that resonate with their fans.

“There’s a line in the last verse of our latest single about fighting a battle that can’t be won” says Kiaran. “It’s about the emotion of wasting energy on a lost cause which happens to all of us from time to time.

“Each time we get off tour, we’re itching to get back. This is what we enjoy doing the most, taking our music to people and winning them over. It’s The Sherlocks way.

“We’ve just sold out a 2,000 venue on a 35 date tour, we’re smashing sets with no album and only six singles, how many other bands are doing that?.”

The Sherlocks play The Talking Heads, The Polygon, Southampton on Wednesday and Wedgewood Rooms, Albert Road Portsmouth on Thursday.

Tickets at thesherlocksmusic.co.uk and venues. They return to The Isle of Wight Festival in June.

Words: Richard Derbyshire

Pictures: Jack Kirwin