Yorkshire quartet The Sherlocks have fast become one of the UK’s modern faces of British rock ‘n’ roll and indie music. Having toured relentlessly from small sweaty hometown pubs/clubs to selling out venues across major worldwide territories such as UK, US and Europe, it seems The Sherlocks are set to keep their already passionately loyal fanbase evolving and the bands success rolling. With the bands third full-length World I Understand dropping back in February, following on from full-lengths Live For The Moment and Under Your Sky, The Sherlocks had an army of new tunes in their locker coming into headlining London’s o2 Academy Islington, the north and the south uniting for a Friday night of feel-good indie rock ‘n’ roll tunes.
Opening for Sherlocks was Newcastle’s Andrew Cushin and rising band Crystal Tides, both support acts backed by their debut EPs to fill their short and sweet set times.
“Sherlocks, Sherlocks, Sherlocks,” welcomed a rowdy warm reception from a London crowd for some Yorkshire born lads, before the band burst into soaring opener Falling, the lead single taken from latest LP World I Understand. An infectious, sing your heart out style chorus and gliding instrumental interlude flies across the room; the euphoria, energy and elation in this one rocketing to new heights.
As well as their brand-new tunes that embedded their way into the setlist this evening, including title track World I Understand and Sorry, to which vocalist Kiaran Crook encourages “Let’s see you bounce London, come on”. The crowd putty in the band’s hands at this point, classic Sherlocks staples couldn’t go a miss, especially on a mega-sized headliner that performing at O2 Academy Islington provided the Yorkshire born and bred band with. London is a city that holds a soft spot in the beating hearts of the Northern four-piece, with Crook commenting “Each place we come has a different story. We played a place called the 100 club when we started out. Obviously, we are a very northern band, but when we come to London and we get the support here it means the world.”
Timeless Sherlocks classics Magic Man, Will You Be There?, NYC (Sing It Loud), Live For The Moment and natural closer Chasing Shadows created a festival sized atmosphere and jam packed it into an 800-cap venue. The visceral reaction garnered from some of the songs that have made The Sherlocks demonstrated that in this room tonight, not matter how far away from home these Northern lads are, no matter what city in the world they find themselves in, the passionate outpouring from their highly dedicated fanbase gives comfort to this band like a warm Yorkshire Tea brew would do.
Rating: 7.5/10
Words By: Katie Conway-Flood
