By Richard Derbyshire

THE SHERLOCKS, the most exciting unsigned band in Britain, made Southampton’s The Joiners their own at a fantastic sold out show at the end of an astonishing week.

The Sheffield band of brothers returned to the famous St Mary Street venue less than seven days since supporting The Libertines in Bournemouth and receiving the news that BBC Music is to take them to SXSW, the biggest music festival in the world, in Austin, Texas.

Frontman and song writer Kiaran Crook, his brother and drummer Brandon, guitarist Josh Davidson and his brother and bassist Andy showed their Southampton fans why legendary DJs Steve Lamacq, Jo Wiley and Huw Stephens have chosen them as one of six bands to represent the best in British new music in America.

They started with their outstanding new single Last Night, which is a belter of a tune and exactly the sort of song a fearless young band should be playing. It’s already gaining momentum on BBC Radio One and 6 Music.

Steve Lamacq, who first saw the band by chance at Sheffield’s Tramlines festival and has been a great supporter ever since, recently told the Daily Echo that The Sherlocks at the Joiners would be “absolutely mental”.

His forecast was spot on as a full house went mad for past singles Escapade and Live for the Moment. There was shoulder surfing and moshing at the front. No one stares at their shoes when this band is on.

Andy and Josh expertly joined Kiaran on backing vocals for an electrifying version of Blue, while there was only the second ever live performance of an exciting new song called Will You Be There?

Next song was You’ve Made a Mistake?, but nothing could be further from the truth for everyone at The Joiners, especially as there was still previous single Heart of Gold and all-time favourite Chasing Shadows to come.

The lads, who have been incredibly loyal to Southampton after playing in the city three times in eleven months, exclusively told The Southern Daily Echo how excited they were about going to America.

“It’s going to be our longest journey ever to play seven songs!” said Kiaran. “Brandon and I have never been so we’re really looking forward to it. In fact only Andy has been to the US before.”

“I left home and then the others started going on good holidays!” joked Josh who missed a trip to Florida with brother Andy and family a couple of years ago. “My last holiday had been to Cleethorpes!”

“We’re definitely going to have a great time” said Kiaran, “though we’ve still to sort out our fake IDs before we go!” he laughed.

Last week the band went on their first arena tour supporting The Libertines.

“Bournemouth was our favourite of the three shows” said Brandon. It had the best sound, lights and a terrific crowd. I think some of them are here tonight.”

But the visit was not without incident as Kiaran revealed. “We spoke to Pete Doherty after the show and he said to wake him on his tour bus the next day to have a chat. Unfortunately, we knocked on the wrong one and security turned up so we had to scarper!”

The Sherlocks have enormous plans for 2016, but, characteristically, they are keeping their cards close to their chest on exact details.

“There are some huge things set to happen in 2016; it’s going to be an absolutely massive year, bigger than ever” said Andy.

Things are moving quickly for this close knit hardworking band from the north. Less than a year ago they hadn’t even played in the south of England and now they are set to perform in America’s Deep South. It’s a tremendous achievement for an unsigned act.

This Southampton show was a new milestone for the band too. The venue was full of their own fans, some already wearing Sherlocks T-Shirts on arrival and many others snapping them up afterwards. Things have moved on in the short time since they were last here in June.

After the gig Kiaran told his twitter followers: “Southampton, you’ve really stepped it up. Worth every minute travelling down here for you lot!”

The Sherlocks continue their mammoth 23-date tour around Great Britain in February. Their latest single Last Night is available for pre-order on iTunes. Tour details and register for email alerts at thesherlocksmusic.co.uk.

PHOTO CREDIT: Leon Gateley