The Waterfront, Norwich November 12, 2022
by Mark Harrop
Live performances are such an integral part of The Reytons’ identity, lockdowns hit them harder than most.
Unable to come face-to-face with their army of followers, the four South Yorkshire likely lads questioned whether the momentum built over three years of hard graft would be lost.
They needn’t have worried.
Back on the road with their Uninvited tour, they’ve been selling out venues across the UK, including The Waterfront.
The atmosphere is akin to a football crowd, with fans who are tribal and fiercely loyal, relishing every experience from the school of hard knocks that inspires The Reytons’ songs.
Frontman Jonny Yerrell takes us on a journey through the tough streets of small-town life kicking off with the angst-ridden Low Life, lifted from the melancholy of its lyrics by driving guitar from Joe O’Brien.
O’Brien sets a blistering pace which continues with tracks from debut album Kids Off The Estate including Antibiotics and Landslide.
Bassist Lee Holland and drummer Jamie Todd drive the beat under blinding strobe lighting as Cash In Hand & Fake IDs gives a taste of what’s to come from the second album due out next year.
It’s fast, furious but never angry. The Reytons don’t rebel against the cold streets of Doncaster but celebrate the joy of growing up taking risks and running free.
Lives and relationships formed in an underprivileged world of booze and petty crime shape songs including On The Back Burner, Billy Big Bollocks and Broke Boys Cartel.
Slice Of Lime, a brilliantly observed homage to characters in a northern club, leads into Kids Off The Estate, its chorus line “And They Call Them Reytons” embraced by all.
Hard-hitting bass-driven Avalanche from the upcoming album What’s Rock And Roll? closes the show with a powerful punch.
That album is out in January, but meanwhile grab your favourite Adidas shirt and a bottle of Jack Daniels because this show proved, for one night at least, we can all be Reytons.
