SHEFFIELD’S The Sherlocks, and their ever increasing Mancunian fan base descended on Manchester’s Albert Hall on Friday (February 10). Quays News entertainment reporter Andrew Collinson headed down there for us…

A true band of brothers, consisting of two pairs of siblings, make up Sheffield’s latest rising stars on the indie-rock scene.

Since playing their first gig at a little pub in Great Houghton, Sheffield, called Sandhills Tavern, the talented four-piece have since gone on to play with the likes of James and The Libertines, and already have slots at Leeds/Reading, and the Isle of Wight Festival under their belts.

The Albert Hall was near full capacity before the first band, Oddity Road took to the stage.

Another Indie-rock band hailing from Sheffield, they were impressive. Despite being first on the bill, the band owned the gig for the short time they were on, and, not that they needed much encouraging, sent the crowd into a frenzy with mosh pits forming faster than drummer Ethan Lambert could hit his snare.

Their set seem to make the Albert Hall feel like an arena, with Dan Brennan’s soaring guitar taking centre stage for new release, ‘You,’ which had hints of Catfish and the Bottlemen.

The final support band came in the form of Bolton band Jordan Allen, another impressive four piece whose fast paced, gritty tunes kept the aforementioned pits going.

Jordan Allen were a fun, fast paced, catchy band who were a little like a northern Jamie T, their music was slightly less elaborate than Oddity Road’s, but a band who seem to have a bright future all the same, and provided the perfect platform for the night’s headliners.

The music before The Sherlocks emerged was like another support started playing, with Arctic Monkeys’ ‘Do I Wanna Know?’ turning the venue into a festival.

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The quartet opened their set strongly with crowd favourite, ‘Last Night,’ where singer Kiaran Crook most likely couldn’t hear himself as the crowd sang with him.

Escapade’ followed, and Kiaran’s brother, Brandon, really showcased his technical ability, with a series of off-beat hits which made it impossible to not bang your head to.

The moment there was a break in the music for a quick tune up, the crowd were in fine voice yet again, chanting “Manchester, na na na!”

Throughout the set, new material was introduced. New songs ‘Was It Really Worth It?’ and “Nobody Knows” were well received, which suggests that an album may well be on the horizon. The lads were clearly thrilled with the crowd’s reaction, as playing new songs can be a nervous time for the biggest of bands.

Arguably their most recognisable song, ‘Live for the Moment’ was the catalyst that for ‘a wall’ to form in the crowd, which was followed by numerous people on shoulders, avoiding the flashlights of the venue’s security.

The chemistry between the four band member was obvious, the smiles they exchanged after each and every song were indicative of a group of friends who were simply enjoying themselves, which was incredibly refreshing.

Everyone had the chance to go nuts once more as the band introduced their final song, ‘Chasing Shadows,’ which told the story of drunk nights out and relationships – a well-worn subject matter, yes, but one which the majority of the audience could relate to.

The Sherlocks are in a field where numerous bands are all trying to make a name for themselves at the same time.

But there is no doubt that this band are on the crest of a wave, with a huge army of fans which seems to grow by the minute, and the prospect of an imminent album release, The Sherlocks look set to reach the very top.

By Andrew Collinson
@AndyDCollinson

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