Why you'll only see The Sherlocks once in 2026
INDIE rockers The Sherlocks built their reputation the hard way – playing pubs, clubs and festivals with a relentless touring schedule that sometimes saw them perform six or seven times a week.
Now the band, which was formed in Bolton Upon Dearne in 2010, have just one single booking for the whole of 2026.
But that doesn't mean the quartet is on the wane, or that there is any less of a clamour to hear their strong anthemic music.
This Saturday (June 27), they will headline in front of more than 2,000 followers at the Sheffield Steelyard.
It will be the biggest outdoor headline show of their career and, rather than being viewed as the only date in a relatively quiet year, it is set to mark the beginning of a new chapter for the band. Former Wath Comprehensive pupil Brandon Crook, the drummer, said: "We decided to give ourselves and everybody else a breather. "There won't be many bands who have toured as much as we did, we were going all over the UK and Europe, travelling, playing gigs, then we'd rinse and repeat.
"For ten years, it was insane.
“So we decided to go in the studio for a bit, work on some new music, and take our foot off the gas – a bit of a down year.
"We were not burned out, but I just feel we naturally needed a bit of a breather so when we go again, it feels fresh and everyone is excited for us, on the other side of the stage. The group – which has supported the likes of Liam Gallagher, Kaiser Chiefs, Kings of Leon, Keane, Richard Ashcroft, Shed Seven and The Libertines – prides itself on its podcasts and social media messaging to its followers.
"Our fans get where we are right now, they are all up to date via a WhatsApp community group.
"There are a lot of ups and downs for bands over the years, there is so much uncertainty in the music industry. We have been through a lot.
"We appreciate their support – without them there would be no band."
Those loyalists will be rewarded next year with the band back on stage more often.
It will also be ten years since the release of their debut album, Live for the Moment.
The performers are effectively part-time rock stars – they are all working on other projects to put food on the table.
Alex Procter, for instance, is an electrical engineer, Trent Jackson and Kiaran (Crook) are producers and Brandon runs the Jolly Brewer pub in Lincoln.
The Crook brothers are proud of the simple fact that the band has been going for 16 years.
"We are buzzing about what we have achieved.
“Building things from the ground up, from jam nights at places such as The Ship Thurnscoe WMC, is what I regard as our biggest success," said Brandon.
"We have no management – my Dad (Michael) is like our fifth member helping with the business side, but there is nobody else.”
The band enjoy weekly social events in the Kelham Island area of Sheffield and jumped at the chance to headline there this weekend.
"We're really looking forward to it,” added Brandon.
“It has become more of a festival than a gig. There will be music from 1pm to around 9.30pm and it is affordable at £35."