Oasis isn’t the only 90’s band that reformed last year and is about to embark on Leg 2 of the comeback trial. After a series of triumphant 2025 comeback gigs in their native Midlands, the Sandkings travel north to the Steel City for the first gig of the year. The comeback isn’t the only thing they share with the moody Mancunians, with drummer Terry Kirkbride briefly banging the Oasis drums, most notably on the ill-fated Death in Vegas sessions.
The Sandkings - named after a 1981 collection of sci-fi short stories by George R. R. Martin - scored three Top 10 hits in the UK indie single chart alongside the critically acclaimed album ‘Welcome to England’ between 1988 and 1992. They were the opening act for Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses in the early 1990s and even touted as the first ever Britpop band. They were fronted by Jass Mann, who later went on to top the charts singing the Number One smash hit ‘Space Man’ with Babylon Zoo.
This time around the frontman’s job belongs to Sheffield stalwart Vincent Cocker and on this occasion, he would be treading the same Yellow Arch stage once graced by local boys, The Arctic Monkeys. Sheffielder Vincent is a familiar face, having played the local circuit, including the gone but not forgotten indie musical Mecca, the Leadmill, with former band Paperslave. The 2026 line-up is completed with original members Glenn Dodd and David Brown.
The Sandkings have recently signed to Revolver Records and, having released a series of anthologies, are working on new material to be released in the new year. With the first album released in 1992, that would represent a 34-year gap between albums.
The support act was the excellent, Doncaster-based 48K’s who have a decent local pedigree and are also veterans of the Leadmill. Their brand of mod and indie rock, fuelled by guitar-driven riffs, was the perfect preamble to the evening.
The Sandkings opened their account with ‘All is Well in the World’, followed by ‘Phoney Mahoney’. It was a great start, with tracks from the album featuring strongly. The synergy and quality of the band were clear to see, with the three long-term members complemented by the relatively new singer who looked the perfect fit for the rejuvenated outfit. He put in the high-octane and accomplished vocal performance you would expect from a seasoned performer who shares the same surname as a couple of other singers from the city. His warmth and comedic comments between songs added to the experience.
‘Need to Know’ was the pre-encore closing song and my highlight of the night, with the trademark melodic hooks and introspective lyrics laced with a slice of psychedelia; served up with the help of super cool keyboard player Nil Patel. Brilliant! The curtain was brought down with ‘Earthwheel,’ and we were joined again by Nil for the final crowd pleaser, ‘Tomorrow Never Knows.’
Although I’m familiar with the Sandkings music, it was my first live experience, and I was blown away by how good they are. I will be checking out the new album next year and would watch them again. I will also check out what the 48K’s are up to. A superb evening.
The Sandkings upcoming Tour Dates
Saturday 24th October 2026 - The Castle and Falcon, Birmingham
Friday 13th November 2026 - Butlins (Minehead) - Shiiine - On
Thursday 26th November 2026 - London Dingwalls
Friday 19th March 2027 - Butlins (Minehead) - Shiiine On
Reviewer: Matthew Burgin
On 18th September 2026
