The Reytons at O2 Academy Bournemouth on 8.2.2025 with support from Freddie Halkon + The Kairos.
Back at the Boscombe O2 (more about this lovely gig spot here in my Venue Blog). I make straight for the top tier ‘Gods’ seats and they’re open – excellent. Good to bump into an old work colleague, Russell, who’s working on security and allows me a wristband to get in there – they use them to monitor the balcony audience limit.
I didn’t realise The Kairos were supporting – my hobbling pace may have quickened, over from an over busy Chaplin’s Bar, if I had known. A really good indie guitar band that I got to like when they supported The Rifles in London.
A short sharp set and the long wait for more material to be released – still waiting for that first album, after a string of singles.
Next up was Freddie Halkon. Wow. I was blown away. What a great set. Such clarity in the lyrics and confidence. He’s only about 20. I’d never heard of him and what a great way to get the crowd going, before his mates, The Reytons, come on.
Often the strong singer/guitarists play alone in such support slots but with a band this gave such power, while still allowing his voice and guitar playing to be spotlighted. Indie guitar riffs but some more folky sounding numbers as well. I’ll seek out Freddie again. Well done to this lad from Doncaster.
The place is buzzing. The crowd singalong to the DJ’s tunes. This is a Reytons sell out tour. The boys from Rotherham do all this, chart topping albums and all, without a record company backing.
This my fourth Reytons (‘right ones’ in a South Yorkshire accent) performance – the interest kicked off with Victorious Festival 2022, followed by Teddy Rocks the following year, then a proper tour gig at Portsmouth Guildhall in October 2023. Always fun. Always friendly (young and older ‘Greytons’) and always gratitude expressed by frontman Jonny Yerrell for the rise of these ‘kids from the estate’.
Meanwhile I have bought all their studio albums on vinyl, pre-ordered, signed and delivered, to underline my support. What a great story. Three studio LPs so far and a fab live LP from their monster 20,000 gig at Clifton Park in Sheffield – which is a wonderful Spotify start if you don’t know the band.
With three albums and a selection of other EPs and singles they can build a varied setlist of the new, old, fast, faster and familiar. The most recent Ballad of the Bystander LP is the most played tonight, with five from it. Market Street has always been my pick from this one. The tale of young sweethearts growing old together.
Low Life, something of an anthem from the Kids off the Estate LP, gets the mosh circle going, just before the relative calm of Market Street.
The big faves are the early ones from the EPs still with greatest cheers of all for Slice of Lime – a fruity emblem for the band. Brilliant. There’s On the Back Burner another early cracker.
There’s an essence of John Cooper Clarke in their everyday lyrical style. Some lines are delivered like a punchline when all the guitars stop – for the audience to join in. It’s a happy scene. A good ole Saturday night bundle in the core of this loud crowd.
Two of the three encores are from the first LP, The Kids off the Estate. The title track – triumphant – it’s what they are and to finish Broke Boys Cartel. A top night – three great bands and a headliner on the very top of their wave…..”and they call them Reytons!”
Gigs with Ivan 