In the gritty, post-industrial heartland of South Yorkshire, a musical renaissance is underway. Once overshadowed by the meteoric rise of Arctic Monkeys, the region’s indie scene is making a remarkable comeback, with a new generation of bands reclaiming the spotlight.
The story begins in 2006, when Arctic Monkeys’ debut album became the fastest-selling in British pop history, propelling the gritty Sheffield sound onto the global stage. This left some of their contemporaries, like the band Milburn, feeling left behind. “It was like being in an athletic race where you’re running really fast, and then Usain Bolt turns up,” recalls Milburn frontman Joe Carnall.
But fast-forward to today, and the tide has turned. The rejuvenated Reverend and the Makers have scored their highest chart position in a decade, while the re-formed Milburn’s comeback gigs have been met with a frenzy, selling 10,000 tickets in just five minutes. Emerging stars like the Sherlock, I Set the Sea on Fire, and High Hazels are also making waves, tapping into the region’s rich musical heritage.
What sets this new wave of South Yorkshire indie apart is its deep connection to the area’s industrial past. The decline of the steel industry in the 1980s left a generation with few opportunities, but also ample time to hone their musical craft. “They called us ‘dole scoungers’,” says ex-Pulp guitarist Richard Hawley, “but think how many taxes Pulp must have paid back.”
This sense of resilience and resourcefulness is embodied by the Sherlock, a young band from the deprived town of Bolton upon Dearne. Formed by two sets of brothers, the Sherlock’s DIY ethos and determination to make it big has seen them sell out iconic venues like Sheffield’s Leadmill, even before signing to a label.
“We’d go: ‘Excuse me. Will you come and see our band?'” chuckles drummer Brandon Crook. “We’d even offer to pick them up and take them back: free taxi. Or we’d flypost cities or create an event on Facebook and invite 2,000 people.” This grassroots approach has paid dividends, with the band playing “every step of the ladder apart from stadiums.”
As Reverend and the Makers’ Jon McClure explains, these bands “speak to their audience in ways that Calvin Harris doesn’t.” Spotify data backs this up, with the Sherlock, Makers, and Milburn all significantly more popular in Yorkshire than the rest of the UK.
“In the north, in general, people don’t talk about their problems,” reflects Milburn’s Carnall. “Until they’ve had a drink, then it all comes pouring out. If you can get that into songs, it’s powerful.”
With a new generation of artists reclaiming the region’s musical identity, the steel town resurgence shows no signs of slowing down. As Carnall puts it, “If it ended tomorrow, I’d be happy with what we’ve done.” The ceiling may have been hit, but the stars are still in sight.
