SHEFFIELD’S rising indie stars The Sherlocks played their best show in the south so far on the second night of their biggest UK venue tour.
Frontman Kiaran Crook, his brother and drummer Brandon, guitarist Josh Davidson and his brother and bassist Andy wowed a crowd of over 250 at The Wedgewood Rooms in their first ever appearance in Portsmouth.
It’s another rite of passage for the hard working band of brothers who hadn’t played a gig in the south 18 months ago and in that short time have shot forward at an astonishing pace.
Against an exciting new light show and stage production, the lads rocked up with an extended intro to boisterous single Last Night before Brandon’s fearless drumming boldly introduced Escapade.
Kiaran’s honest lyrics and sweeping melodies on songs like Turn the Clock, Was It Really Worth It? and Candle Light captivated the spellbound crowd. It’s a sign of the band’s huge depth that they can move so easily between lively belters like Motions and Will You be There? and such epic storytelling.
Incredibly, the song Blue has all of these traits and with Josh and Andy’s soaring backing vocals it’s one of the band’s most stunning tunes.
Breakthrough single Live for the Moment and last year’s release Heart of Gold saw some of the most frenzied moshing down the front before Sherlocks’ anthem Chasing Shadows took things to another level with extra choruses being sung by fans as the lights came on.
The Sherlocks closely guarded next single was in the set, but hearing all the contenders together doesn’t narrow it down. Their songs are that good.
Earlier in the evening Hampshire band Blaenavon captured an impressive early crowd. Singer Ben Gregory, bassist Frank Wright and drummer Harris McMillan return to the Wedgewood Rooms to support The Hunna on Tuesday, September 27.
The Sherlocks return to the The Invaders of the Future stage at Bestival on Friday alongside other exciting new acts playing across the whole weekend, including Pretty Vicious, Vant, Spring King, Sunflower Bean, The Wytches and Hinds.
RICHARD DERBYSHIRE
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