Live: The Sherlocks @ Sheffield University Foundry, Sheffield

by | Mar 9, 2017

Brandon Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Brandon Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

The Sherlocks were back in town on Friday night with their infectious good-mood beats and heavy riffs. It had been a while since I had seen them and like the sell out crowd, I was looking forward to their set and those of the supporting acts Oddity Road and Sundance

Like a ray of sunshine, Sundance brought interesting new sounds to the Sheffield University Foundry with a mixture of 4/4 and 7/8 beats, combining fun alternative pop with upbeat bluesy reggae vibes. Although not expecting to play to such a large crowd – the sold out Foundry was filling up fast – Sundance more than rose to the occasion with their well-crafted alternative stoner rock, winning the crowd over in no time.

Harry Walker of Sundance (Gunnar Mallon)

Harry Walker of Sundance (Gunnar Mallon)

With a stage presence and vocal aggression of Zack de la Rocha, frontman Harry Walker delivered heartfelt vocals backed by an excellent group of musicians. There was a clear harmony between band members and when they manage to refine their sound a bit more they will be ones to watch.

Jack Heath of Oddity Road (Gunnar Mallon)

Jack Heath of Oddity Road (Gunnar Mallon)

With the venue now at capacity and the audience fully limbered up for an evening of jumping around, local up-and-comers Oddity Road took to the stage. Although most of the audience was there to see The Sherlocks, after Oddity Road’s first two songs Intro and Elope, the young, predominantly female audience could not stand still anymore and erupted into a pulsating sea of bobbing heads and raised arms.

Oddity Road at Sheffield Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

Oddity Road at Sheffield Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

Picking up the pace with Don’t Say, Nova, and their latest EP release You, the four A-level students from Hope Valley did not let up for a breather and kept the energy levels at 11. Ending their set on their popular song Handshake, new fans were certainly won on Friday evening. The four multi-instrumentalists will be back at Sheffield Student Union on 7 April, with no doubt another sterling performance.

Andy Davidson of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Andy Davidson of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Sporting big grins on their faces and to the roaring shouts and whistles of the audience, The Sherlocks walked onto stage in complete darkness. With the first drumbeat of Last Night, the lights lit up and the crowd went wild. It had been a while since The Sherlocks played in their home town and their fanbase was out in numbers, singing along to all of their songs.

The Sherlocks at Sheffield University Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

The Sherlocks at Sheffield University Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

The alternative indie rock quartet from Sheffield chose to play in their hometown on the return leg of their almost entirely sold out UK tour, which kicked off in Inverness on 1 February and saw three extra dates added for shows in Glasgow, London, and Leeds in April.

The Sherlocks at Sheffield Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

The Sherlocks at Sheffield Foundry (Gunnar Mallon)

In there relative short four-year history, The Sherlocks have managed to become a household name for solid pumping indie rock. This is largely due to lead singer Kiaran Crook’s gritty vocals, heartfelt lyrics of personal experiences and their arsenal of instant festival anthems.

Following their opening songs Last Night, Escapage and Nobody Knows the relentless wave of hits continued with last year’s EP release Will You Be There? and Candlelight before turning it up with Heart of Gold. The memorable chorus helped keeping the crowd engaged with the music. It is impressive that The Sherlocks have amassed such a loyal following, given that they are yet to release a full studio album.

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Brandon Crook’s smashing beats and Andy Davidson’s deep evenly-paced bass lines made it impossible to stand still during any of The Sherlocks’ songs and before you know it, you are jumping around with the rest of the crowd. Their fast-paced indie rock vibes can only be likened to a relentlessly pouncing musical tiger that does not let up but hits you with thump after thump of musical delight.

The fifty minute set, which seemed to exhaust The Sherlocks’ repertoire, came to an end with Chasing Shadows, which they performed live in session at Maida Vale Studios for BBC Introducing in 2015.

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

The fun that every member of the audience had was clearly mirrored by the four artists on stage, who appeared to have the time of their lives, jumping around and joking with each other. The Sherlocks clearly know how to entertain and keep a crowd bouncing while maintaining positive vibes and an all-round party atmosphere.

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

Kiaran Crook of The Sherlocks (Gunnar Mallon)

There are only a few dates left on their tour that have yet to sell out. If you are in the mood for a fun evening of cracking memorable tunes, make sure to catch The Sherlocks on their current tour or at individual gigs later in the year.

Josh Davidson of The Sherlocks playing to a sell out crowd (Gunnar Mallon)

Josh Davidson of The Sherlocks playing to a sell out crowd (Gunnar Mallon)

Live Review & Photography by Gunnar Mallon.

The Sherlocks at Sheffield University Foundry, Sheffield, March 3rd 2017.

Architects @ The O2 (Abigail Shii)

Architects Give London’s O2 Arena So Much More Than Whiplash

The O2 Arena is dark. A rumble transforms into what sounds like an air raid siren. Bass drones stab through, in time with bars of light above and below the stage. Shimmers appear further back, casting shadows. Electro beats kick in. Suddenly, just for a moment, the lights and sound cut out; a deep breath before the synths of Elegy begin. Spotlights hit Sam Carter as he starts to sing, the rest of the stage still murky.

Wayne Kramer of MC5/MC50 @ The O2 Arena (Kalpesh Patel)

MC50 Announce Explosive Live Album ‘10 MORE’ – Out December 5th

Legendary Detroit rock pioneers MC50 – the modern incarnation of the MC5, led by the late founding guitarist Wayne Kramer – have announced a brand-new live album, 10 MORE, set for release on 5th December. The record captures the unrelenting power and political punch of the band’s acclaimed 2018 world tour, which reignited the revolutionary energy that first made the MC5 one of rock’s most radical and influential forces.

EMF @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire (Adrian Hextall)

EMF, Jesus Jones & Bis Bring Britpop Energy Back To O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

It was a full-on ‘90s Brit legends night at West London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, with three bands who made their mark during the decade proving they’ve still got plenty of spark left. Throw in a few special guests and a crowd that was up for it from the first note, and you’ve got one of those nights that remind you just how much fun live music can be.

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing