LIVE: The Sherlocks - Manchester Club Academy 02.05.15

Walking within 5 minute radius of Manchester’s Club Academy, a sea of young men in Fred Perry, Pretty Green and Harrington jackets walk down towards the venue. Are Oasis back together? Are The Courteeners playing a secret set in warm up to their Heaton Park gig? Or is this something that Manchester should prepare itself for in the next few years?

The Sheffield four piece who call themselves The Sherlocks played at Manchester’s Sound Control back in February to a small 300 sold out crowd. This time they perform in Manchester’s Club Academy in front of a 600 crowd. Anticipation builds on the way to the venue as almost everybody is asking “Where is this venue?” “How do you even get there?” – little do the newbie’s to Manchester Club Academy know that they would be witnessing one of Sheffield’s biggest indie rock bands in such a small compact venue… Something to tell the kids about when they’re older.

Support comes in the form of two relatively deep indie bands, Louie Louie and Feed the Kid, who get the odd head moving. The Sherlocks front man Kiaran Cook graces the stage at a late 10pm, wearing his signature leather jacket. The crowd suddenly move like a wave towards the barrier, crushing whoever they pass in order to get a glimpse of the band.

A couple of songs in and the band are in full form, effortlessly getting the crowd to push and shove and have a good time. Drinks are thrown in the air, one man is even thrown over the barrier almost in an attempt to crowd surf on top of the small audience. As Kiaran announces “This song is one you bounce too”, the crowd kicks up a notch. People being flung, yes flung, out of the main crowd and into the tables is something you would expect to see at a metal gig. Nevertheless the crowd loves it and gives The Sherlocks the attention they want whilst the band belt out ‘Times Ticking By’.

The band end on a high note with their most well known song ‘Live For The Moment’ and a few more from their collection. Scenes were caused and drinks were thrown. One boy even grabs the sign for the toilets and throws it into the crowd. It’s safe to say that this isn’t the end for The Sherlocks and we should wait patiently for something big to happen to his band.