Pride and persistence see bands mark major milestones
TWO of the Rotherham area’s best-known bands are marking major moments in their journeys – underlining both their staying power and the strength of the region’s fiercely independent music scene.
Between them, The Reytons and The Sherlocks have built loyal followings through persistence and a shared independent spirit, proving that success does not have to rely on major label backing.
Both have traded on a strong sense of identity – rooted in South Yorkshire – while cultivating fanbases willing to support them directly, whether through live shows, merchandise or new releases.
For The Reytons, that connection is once again being put to the test with the announcement of their fourth studio album, hauntingly entitled A Love Letter To A Broken Town.
The band said: “Our fourth studio album is ready and available to pre-order now.
"We’ve been locked in the studio for the past few months and we can honestly say, this is the best one yet.
“Forever taking inspiration and pride from our roots, the ups, the downs and the beautiful people who surround us."
The Reytons invited supporters to "Head to our website to have your name written in the artwork forever, as we make history once again. Without any label backing, just us, all of us.”
That final line reflects a key part of their rise. Formed in 2017, they have become one of the UK’s most prominent independent acts, achieving chart success and selling out major venues without traditional industry support.
The response to the album announcement underlined their fans' loyalty.
One supporter wrote: “Do I own a record player? No. Have I ordered the signed vinyl and then the CD? Of course I have!”
Another said: “I don’t have a record player, cassette player or a CD player anymore but I ordered the lot and won’t open them. I will have to download it to hear it.”
A third added: “I’ve no cassette player but I’ve ordered four of them.”
While The Reytons represent the modern blueprint for independent success, The Sherlocks’ story stretches back further and reflects a more traditional route built on persistence.
The Bolton upon Dearne band this week looked back on their own journey, posting: “Still here. Still grafting. Still believing.
“15+ years deep and it feels like we’re only just warming up. “Nothing’s been handed to us; and that’s exactly why it means more. Underdogs, always.”
Arriving on the scene in 2010 brothers Kiaran and Brandon Crook built a reputation through touring and grassroots support, emerging at a time when the industry still revolved heavily around live circuits and label backing.
Their longevity hasn't gone unnoticed. One fan replied: “It will pay off eventually guys, there is no other way. You already have everything you need. Talent, ambition, drive. Keep moving forward.”
Another added: “You were my most listened to on my Spotify in 2025 and I’m sure you will be up there in 2026.”
And a third wrote: “Here’s to another 15+ you keep getting better and better.”
Taken together, the two bands reflect how independent music has evolved across the past decade and more – from The Sherlocks’ grassroots rise in the early 2010s to The Reytons’ success built on a direct-to-fan model in the streaming age.
What links them is clear – a shared identity rooted in the Rotherham area and a fanbase that continues to invest in their success.
In different ways, both have shown that even in a changing industry, it is still possible to build something lasting from the ground up.