The Sheffield Scenester

In recent years DQ has become something of a byword for quality amongst discerning Sheffield clubbers. Building upon its reputation as the hottest afterparty joint in the city, club night Threads has quickly garnered accolades from all areas and tonight’s ticket is physically smoking. Bromheads are living proof that a band doesn’t necessarily need the sort of intricate layering or self-indulgent backing that overshadows many indie tracks, as long as you have the capability to hold a tune and create a noise, the Bromheads have nailed it, and that’s no small feat when you consider it’s just the two of them up there.

Support is left in the capable hands of Sheffield folk-rockers Lenders in the Temple who’s howling brand of Dylan-esque gospel strikes an instant chord with the assorted crowd of scenesters. Singer Mike Hughes bellows out his tunes with the unhinged fervour of an apocalypse obsessed street preacher, during what is surely set to become their signature track Stuck on a Loop, I half expected him to start crying “repent ye sinners” while tearing the hair from his head to the furious beat of Tim Hamptons drums, it fits the gloomy setting of DQ perfectly. The interval is nothing short of inspired, I recall trawling around Sheffield one hazy night desperately seeking out a place that plays 50’s disco (don’t ask why) if I’d have known that DQ has it on tap I would have been there in a shot, the crowd seem to love it, jitterbug abound, hats off Mr. DJ.

Now it’s the turn of the Bromheads, it’s easy to lump them into the same category as the other post 2005 Sheffield groups, ie. Milburn and co. but Bromheads have always had something else, something rawer and less pompous than their counterparts that has endeared them to their loyal fan base time and time again. It would also be easy to say that their tunes are indie by numbers, if they hadn’t created the blueprint that so many imitators have poured over time and again. When watching this close duo, its important to remember that this is one of the foundations that indie has lain on for the last five years, and still their tunes have lost none of the fire or the fury that they delivered back in the day. Second number Edey conjours up a few questionable dance moves from the scenesters on the tiny dancefloor, and the restless atmosphere produced by a long interval (about 45 minutes if I recall correctly) dissipates immediately, the Bromheads now have our full and undivided attention. Next to me, four of Tony Blair’s much feared binge drinkers down cans of Red Stripe from their elbows, I’m nearly as impressed by this as by the effortless way that the balls out punkishness of Floor Him gives way to the tender balladry of new track Dedicated, bottles in the air, hugs all round. The rest of the set showcases the intricate way that a band who have been around as long as the Bromheads can make what is essentially a polished and well versed set list sound like something raw and original, it’s a talent. Poppy Bird and Magic Number keep the crowd bouncing, and the pogoing begins in earnest for closers Boots and Hole in the Head. If anything it’s good to see that one of the bands that made the nation fall madly and deeply for indie are alive and well, but you get the feeling from the Bromheads that it’s something more, the dawning of a new era? Lets hope so.

Words: Daniel Walsh
Photography: Gerald Robinson