We Are Scientists speak about love of Crookes Social Club and their 20th anniversary Sheffield show
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Following their successful 2025 UK tour, We Are Scientists are set to perform at Sheffield’s Electric Studios on Friday, October 3, 2026. Ahead of their return Keith Murray spoke to The Star about returning to the city
We Are Scientists are kicking off 20th anniversary celebrations of their debut album, ‘With Love & Squalor’ at Oxford’s O2 Academy on September 30, 2026. The first of a nine show run that will see them travel around England with a stop off in Sheffield a few days later.
“Technically, it’s the 21st anniversary in the UK,” Keith Murray explains. “It came out 2025 in the UK and 2026 in the US. So, in our timezone it’s still the 20th anniversary.”
The nine show run will see them traverse the length and breadth of England, before concluding at Bristol’s Electric on 10th October. The American band will be performing at Electric Studios in Sheffield on Saturday, October 3, 2026 – tickets to We Are Scientists are still available here.
For over two decades, the New York-based outfit — comprising founding members Keith Murray and Chris Cain — has consistently delivered sharp, infectious indie rock, maintaining the rare ability to evolve without losing their essential DNA.
In an industry where groups often erupt with fleeting brilliance before rapidly vanishing, We Are Scientists have quietly forged one of indie music's most impressively enduring journeys. With a back catalogue of music that not only stands the test of time but they have remained incredibly consistent, releasing 14-albums over the course of 20-years.
The band have played in Sheffield before and Keith knows what he is most looking forward to when they return.
He said: “We played in a place called Crookes Social Club, it’s like a Working Men’s Club on the west-side of Sheffield”“It was so f**king cool. We loved it so much.
“I’m honestly going to try and see if we can go there for a drink before the show.
“I don’t know if we’ll have time. But man, that place is so cool.”
But that’s not all. Sheffield holds fond memories for the band, and they can’t wait to get back.
“Sheffield is one of those places that we have a routine in, we know a place where we go for lunch which is a cafe close to Electric Studios,” Keith said. “Every time we come back, we go to the same place for a cup of coffee, and after we’ve loaded up, we usually go to a pub just down the road with an outdoor seating space and have a pint there. But if we have time we go to Crookes.
“Our drummer reminded us about this late night chippy that is exceptionally good. I don’t know the name of it, but he assures us that the last time we were there we really loved it. When you’re done with the show, you’ve got to get out and go to the chippy.”
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After we spent some time deviating from the purpose of our chat (Keith took notes on recommended places to visit for drinks both pre and post-show) we finally got back on track and I asked what showgoers can expect to see on the night.
“Well, we’re performing ‘With Love & Squalor’ in its entirety, Keith explained. “From start to finish, which initially when we were pitched that, I was kind of dubious about.”
“But we’ve done it a few times and it’s a pretty fun way to get immediately energised, where we pack all these songs we wrote when we were 24 – it sets a tone.”
Containing hits including "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", “Great Escape”, and “It’s A Hit”, ‘With Love & Squalor’ marked the arrival of a potent and energetic new force in indie music.
Two decades on, the group still handles their artistry with the clever humor, wit, mirth, sharpness, and adventurous spirit that first catapulted them to prominence.
We Are Scientists will be performing at Electric Studios in Sheffield on Saturday, October 3, 2026 – buy remaining tickets here.