Photo Credit: Georgia Cottrill
Words: Izzy Hayden
Gigs that thrive on energy and carefree crowds are The Royston Club’s speciality. Even back before their debut album dropped, fans would be queuing outside their venues, making mosh pits and using the band’s shows as a place to truly let go. A few years down the line the group’s second album ‘Songs For The Spine’ has been released and their crowds have quickly grown bigger and bigger but never lost the enthusiasm that makes their concerts so special.
“How are we Manchester Academy” Cal Blakebrough, the frontman of first support act Arkayla belts out as fans already begin climbing on their friends shoulders. Despite being a new band it’s obvious how popular they already are as fans belt out their lyrics with extreme excitement that’s not often seen during support acts.
Effortlessly cool, Feet follow. Using a tambourine in a unique way not often seen on indie-pop tracks, lead singer George Haverson shimmies across the stage, blowing a kiss to a fan he notices singing along before the rest of the band roll up their setlists and throw them into the crowd like true rockstars.
“ROYSTON ROYSTON ROYTSON” the crowd begins chanting from the very second the support acts leave the stage, a chant which would continue all throughout the evening. Instantly fans ecstatically belt the lyrics to ‘The Patch Where Nothing Grows’ so loud it’s almost hard to hear frontman Tom Faithfull. Blending a vivid guitar solo, fierce drums and Faithfull’s confident vocals, the opening track is crafted for live shows.
Throwing it back to their first album, the opening riffs of ‘Blisters’ and ‘Mrs Narcissistic’ send cheers through the crowd as one fan jumps up and down waving a sign saying “can I play Mrs Narcissistic.” Knowing it’s a crowd pleaser, they begin the song slow and quiet letting fans sing for them while they stare out in awe, appreciating their dedicated fanbase. “We’ve played every venue in Manchester up to this size so thank you if you’ve been here from the start” Faithfull announces, obviously still in disbelief at the audience’s devotion.
Newer tracks ‘30/20’ and ‘Through The Cracks’ are laced with action-packed hooks and engrossing rhythms much like what we’ve seen in their past discography yet somewhat more guitar heavy than the first album. Soon the lights brighten creating two silhouettes in the middle of the stage as Faithfull and guitarist Ben Matthias share the main mic for ‘A Tender Curiosity.’ Heartfelt and vulnerable, the track lands on the opposite end of the spectrum to most of their music.
Continuing onto another sincere song, ‘Spinning’s’ built around a bridge of meaning and hurt. “I love you but you’re never here” Faithfull bellows with an ache in his vocals that authenticates what he sings, at points even sounding angry. The topic of the track resonates with the audience who scream the words back, teary eyed.
Intense with fiery guitar riffs and an eager bass line, ‘Shivers’ finds its own niche in their discography. Feeling like an indie-rock masterpiece that could be mistaken for a greatest hit of the 2000’s, Matthias strums complicated riffs like it’s effortless, like he could do it in his sleep. As Faithfull and Matthias medley the lyrics, singing two parts of the song at once the crowd splits in two, deciding which part to sing.
Nearing the end of the set, The Royston Club raise the energy to the highest level possible with ‘52’, ‘Mariana’ and ‘I’m A Liar,’ three upbeat, fan favourites. Faithfull signals the crowd and jump during ‘Mariana’ and they do so without hesitation. Never getting old or left behind, the track is one of their first releases but still never fails to get the crowd going.
In the past the group likely would’ve ended the show there however this time round ‘Cariad’ has become a heartache ballad that’s adored by fans making it the ideal send off. “I used to spend whole evenings watching the movement of your mouth” he yearns over vibrant guitar. One things for certain and that’s there’s no better part of a Royston Club gig than getting to scream along to the bridges at the end of their songs especially when that song is ‘Cariad.’ For certain this track will go down as one of the band’s greatest and is the perfect way to end any night.
Taped Magazine 