LOCAL indie stars Costellos will reunite with one of the biggest new bands in Britain when they support The Sherlocks in Southampton on Thursday.

Frontman George Dummett, guitarist Keiren Pearce, bassist Kieran Wilson and drummer Tomi Lewis say they are honoured to be on the same bill as the Yorkshire Radio One favourites, who last month had the most successful debut album by a British group for more than a year.

It’s even more special as the local band were part of the line-up when The Sherlocks played their first show in the south to a small crowd at The Joiners two years ago.

This time they’ll play to hundreds at The 1865 on Brunswick Square.

“The Sherlocks are an inspiration to lads like us” George told The Daily Echo. “They’ve proved that you can grow with hard work and by playing the sort of guitar-driven music that we love.”

“We’ve seen how they’ve persevered and succeeded in the south, where it’s not easy for any new act to build a crowd” added Kieran.

The Sherlocks have a strong history of asking rising stars to join them on tour. Hampshire’s Blaenavon played alongside them last year, while this time Glass Caves, Judas, Misfires, Ashfields, The Snuts and Vida, plus previous tour favourites Jordan Allen, join them at other venues.

“It’s mad that we’re supporting a band who supported Kings of Leon at Sheffield Arena in June” said Keiren. “In its own way it shows how far we’ve come in the last couple of years. We’re buzzing to be involved.”

Tomi remembers The Sherlocks at their first show at The Joiners. “They were the quickest act I’ve seen setting up and loading their equipment afterwards. They had fun on stage, but there was a sense of urgency to get things done. They weren’t there to mess around.”

Building on festival appearances in Spain and Darlington and at Southampton’s Common People, Costellos have announced autumn shows in Brighton and Liverpool. The band know the importance of getting their version of the Southampton sound heard around the country.

And there is imminent news of a new single, the first since Keep on Lying was made available on iTunes earlier this year.

“We’re hoping to release it by the end of October” revealed George. “There’s a full band and an acoustic version. At the moment we’re writing songs that we couldn’t be more excited about.”

Costellos and Eyes To The Skies support headliners The Sherlocks at The 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton on Thursday 21 September. Tickets £12. More at thesherlocksmusic.co.uk.

By Richard Derbyshire

Photo of Costellos by Leon Gateley