REVIEW: The Sherlocks rock Don Valley Bowl with electrifying homecoming

The Sherlocks  delivery electrifying performance at Don valley Bowl homecoming. Photo Rhona MurphyThe Sherlocks  delivery electrifying performance at Don valley Bowl homecoming. Photo Rhona Murphy
The Sherlocks delivery electrifying performance at Don valley Bowl homecoming. Photo Rhona Murphy | Rhona Murphy
YORKSHIRE chart stars The Sherlocks rocked Don Valley Bowl in Sheffield this weekend at their biggest festival headline gig so far and in front of thousands of fans, writes Richard Derbyshire.

This electrifying South Yorkshire homecoming performance saw Bolton Upon Dearne frontman Kiaran Crook, his brother and drummer Brandon, lead guitarist Alex Procter and bassist Trent Jackson join the same club as iconic acts like Arctic Monkeys - who have also headlined their own event at the outdoor venue.

And with support from  Liverpool’s Red Rum Club and Leeds’ Apollo Junction, plus rising stars The Clause and The Lilacs, here was a guitar band line-up which was of the moment and for the future.

Now choosing from a formidable four albums, songs from The Sherlocks come thick and fast.

And it is all live, no backing tracks, no gimmicks, no speeches, no encores and no distractions.

Playing in the shadow of the giant Sheffield  Forgemasters works, the four piece showed they are another Yorkshire product build to last.

The Sherlocks Don Valley Bowl. Photo Rhona Murphy The Sherlocks Don Valley Bowl. Photo Rhona Murphy
The Sherlocks Don Valley Bowl. Photo Rhona Murphy | Rhona Murphy

The set included Don’t Let It Out, Magic Man, Will You Be There?, On The Run, Falling, Sirens and, ten years on from its release, their breakthrough single Live For The Moment.

There was also a debut live performance of new song, Death of Me, the band’s first new music since last year’s top five album People Like Me and You, and a tune recently snapped up as a single of the week on BBC 6 Music.

The outdoor arena was filled with fans wearing The Sherlocks’ own replica black or white football shirts, while attendees also appreciated the band’s ’drinks price cap’ which guaranteed all alcohol on sale, including The Sherlocks’ own pilsner, would cost no more than £5.

This event means the group are close to having performed in every notable music venue in Sheffield since forming 14 years ago - from Rocking Chair, Plug, Network, and The Foundry, to  The Leadmill, O2 Academy, City Hall, Hillsborough, the main stage at Tramlines, and supporting Kings of Leon at the Arena.

In November, they will tick off another one when they play The Octagon Centre supporting fellow Yorkshire legends Shed Seven on their 30th anniversary tour - for The Sherlock tour dates and tickets CLICK HERE.

And just as it was at all those other Sheffield gigs, there is only one tune to finish this evening, and the chorus of Chasing Shadows echoed around Don Valley for some time after the band left the stage.

Songwriter Kiaran told fans the gig had “meant the world” to the band before adding, “see you next year”, in a possible clue to the band’s longer term plans.

The Sherlocks. Photo Nathan KobierowskyThe Sherlocks. Photo Nathan Kobierowsky
The Sherlocks. Photo Nathan Kobierowsky | Nathan Kobierowsky

Earlier, special guests Red Rum Club, The Clause, Apollo Junction and The Lilacs, captivated big early crowds in the late evening sun.

Rising stars The Clause showed why they are quickly gathering new fans with killer tunes like Time of Our Lives and In My Element. 

The Birmingham band told the crowd they will soon release a new EP and that they have just upgraded their own Sheffield gig, on 28 November, to the main room at The Leadmill. 

Meanwhile, Wigan openers the Lilacs, said that after this appearance, they were now gearing up to their own biggest headline show,  at The Ritz, Manchester on 1 November.

The Sherlocks play Hardwick Live 16 August before supporting Shed Seven around the UK in November and December. Their latest single, Death of Me, is out now - LISTEN HERE.

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