Big weekend for The Sherlocks at Isle of Wight

SOUTH YORKSHIRE indie stars The Sherlocks will complete their biggest weekend so far at Isle of Wight Festival.

Before playing the Island’s Big Top stage on Sunday, they’re supporting rock superstars Kings of Leon at Sheffield Arena.

It’s another step up for frontman Kiaran Crook, his brother and drummer Brandon, lead guitarist Josh Davidson and his brother and bassist Andy who first played The Jack Rocks This Feeling stage two years ago and were the second band announced for this time.

“Playing at our home city arena and then coming back to The Isle of Wight makes it a dream 48 hours for us” Kiaran, 21, told me. “It’ll be one of this year’s stand out memories for sure.”

And what a year – the hard working band of brothers have already completed a sold-out 35-date tour, including Southampton, and had two Radio One singles - Was It Really Worth It? And latest Chasing Shadows which also made the FA Cup Final playlist at Wembley.

BBC Introducing are taking them to Glastonbury and they’ll be back in Southampton, where they’ve a huge following, to headline the 800 capacity The 1865 in September. It’s a good job they have a new tour bus.

Long-awaited debut album Live for the Moment is released in August with the band hearing their chart position a week later at Reading & Leeds.

“The album’s title is a nod to everyone who’s stayed with us” said Brandon.

“It reflects where we’re at - we’re all young lads, we’ve nothing to lose and there’s no plan B. We have to go for it with this band. Now feels like the point of no return.

“Others tried to advise us on songs and names, but we knew what we wanted - this one’s for the fans.

“Some acts get an industry push and break through after only one or two years, but we’ve been on the road grafting for more than seven – we’re veterans in comparison. We’ve climbed every step of the ladder from our garage and local pub to rites of passage venues like The Joiners and now world famous arenas and festivals.”

The close knit band were not afraid to try new sounds when recording at the world famous Rockfield studios with long time producer Gavin Monaghan, as Kiaran explained. “We’ve flipped Motions, one of our old songs, on its head. What was a frantic three minute burst now has a country rockabilly vibe.

“We’d recorded fifteen songs and at the last minute we were able to add a twelfth track to the album and we all voted for that one - it’s different, but it fits in.

“Bands can be criticised for not sounding as they have before, but if it’s us four playing and me singing then it’ll always be The Sherlocks - we’re not scared of trying something new.”

The Sherlocks play The Big Top at Isle of Wight Festival 5.15pm on Sunday & headline Southampton’s The 1865 on Thursday September 21. Pre-order debut album Live For The Movement at thesherlocksmusic.co.uk.