Straight out of South Yorkshire comes one of the most exciting bands to impose themselves onto the indie-rock music scene, invading Newcastle like only they know how.
My first introduction to The Reytons was in early 2018 when Jonny Yerrell (vocals), Joe O’Brien (lead guitar), Lee Holland (bass guitar), and Jamie Todd (drums) performed an astonishing live session for a radio station I volunteered for at the time. Instantly falling in love with their incredible story-driven anthems – and since seeing them last year for their unforgettable date at The Cluny – they’ve continuously sold-out gigs up and down the UK, honing their skills along the way.
And tonight, this North East crowd is unbelievably fired up; never before I have I seen moshing ahead of the headline act entering the stage, not only due to the hysteria of this evening’s hugely-anticipated performance but kudos to the fabulous support bands The Outcharms and Jordan Allen (seek them out if you haven’t already) whipping up the fans inside the O2 Academy into a frenzy!
Now imagine the utter scenes when the headline band finally does take to the stage.
‘Oreyt Newcastle’, pronounces The Reytons, instantly sending everyone into oblivion as they thrash out openers ‘Low Life’, ‘On The Back Burner’ and ‘Wide Eyes And Halos’ before the massive ‘Retro Emporium’, with everyone in attendance wide-eyed and singing along with every perfectly-crafted word.
Cracking on with crowd-pleasers, ‘Harrison Lesser’ and ‘Ghost’, Jonny dedicates ‘Take Me Home’ to a girl in the crowd: “This one’s for Ellie!” After building such fabulous rapport with their beloved fans over the years, it’s gestures like these which sum up the Sheffield storytellers entirely.
With sweat streaming down the walls, they finish their phenomenal set with ‘Canine’ and ‘Billy Big Bollocks’ before launching into their encore of trademark tracks ‘Kids Off The Estate’ and the notably iconic ‘Slice Of Lime’, much to the rapture of the increasingly moshing mob. It goes without saying it has been a breathtaking night in the toon with The Reytons – a pure adrenaline and booze-fuelled party for everyone in attendance.
Asking the lads their take on the night: “We love Newcastle. I mean, every time we play it’s just like being at home. It was an absolutely mental night but we didn’t expect anything less! F*cking legends.”
