SHEFFIELD indie stars The Sherlocks are set to ramp things up in September with their biggest venue tour so far and a major show at Bestival.

After a huge summer of festivals the unsigned band will play some of the country’s most legendary stages, including The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth on Monday September 5, before being part of Bestival’s exciting Invaders of the Future line-up on Friday September 9.

It’s another leap forward for singer-guitarist Kiran Crook, his brother and drummer Brandon, guitarist Josh Davidson and his brother and bassist Andy, who’ve already had an astonishing year to remember.

They’ve supported The Libertines, performed at South by Southwest festival in America with BBC Music, won Radio One daytime airplay with single Last Night and sold out their own 23-date nationwide tour, including a landmark show at The Joiners in February.

They even made the half time playlist at AFC Bournemouth, helping inspire The Cherries to a vital second half win against Swansea.

“Now we’re hoping this tour will take things to a whole new level” said Kiaran.

“We’re bringing along ideas we tried at our homecoming show at The Leadmill, Sheffield, in June; some fantastic lightning, beefed up sound and plenty of other surprises. We can’t wait to get back on the road again and see everyone.”

“We’ve just spend four days recording at the famous Rockfield studios, Monmouth, with renowned producer Dave Eringa, who’s worked with great bands like the Manic Street Preachers.

“We’ve tried loads of new things, double tracking, layering up and creating a bigger sound. If Dave had an idea, we just did it, taking in as much as possible.

“Our new single is our best one yet. It sounds mad, but it’s ten times bigger than what we’ve done before. There’s space where there needs to be but the choruses are huge.

“I’m always writing songs with usually five on the go at any moment and we spend even more time together as band now, every spare moment” added Kiaran, whose prolificacy has penned raw indie classics like Escapade and Live for the Moment, plus sweeping epics like Turn the Clock, Candle Light and Blue.

“Even when we’re not gigging, the lads are up at mine. Josh, Andy and I are always on guitar and Brandon is on drums or doing other things to help the band. This year’s been busy, hopefully next year will be busier still, so now’s the time to get as much done as possible. Now is just the start.”

“It is great that Blaenavon are going to be supporting us in September. They’re good lads to have around and being from Hampshire, The Wedgewood Rooms is local for them, so that’s another good reason to come down!”

The Sherlocks play the Invaders of the Future stage at Bestival on Friday September 9 and The Wedgewood Rooms on Monday September 5.

See bestival.net and wedgewood-rooms.co.uk

RICHARD DERBYSHIRE