The Wrexham-based four-piece, known for their infectious energy and relatable lyrics, more than lived up to expectations.
Feet opened the night and got the crowd going with their vibrant and retro tunes, fueling the energy for the remainder of the show. A crowd favourite of the set was ‘Spitting Fire’, the audience immersed in a red and blue hue.
Distinct guitar lines from Harry Southerton and Callum Parker, and lead singer George Haverson’s tambourine rhythms had everyone clapping along in sync. The band paid homage to their early days, playing ‘Chalet 47’ off their debut album ‘What’s Inside is More Than Just Ham’. The band concluded their set with ‘Greasy Boy’, a groovy beat which paired perfectly with Haverson’s effortless vocals, which left the crowd on a high.
The Royston Club caused the crowd to immediately explode to the riff of ‘The Patch Where Nothing Grows’ with Tom Faithfull’s powerful vocals filling Manchester Academy, setting the tone as he took full ownership of the stage. Instrumentals from Dave Tute and Sam Jones electrified the venue and were paired with harmonising backing vocals from Ben Matthias, creating new dimensions to the track. Every movement across the stage radiated confidence and intent. Transitioning into ‘Glued To The Bed’, also taken from their new album, the room was bathed in a dark red, amplifying the vibrant atmosphere, and had the crowd louder than the band themself.
The band then introduced their track titled ‘Mrs Narcissistic’, which is a staple of The Royston Club’s shows. The crowd’s energy was unstoppable, with mosh pits erupting, people on shoulders, and not a single person standing still.
The band then shifted to a more vulnerable moment with ‘A Tender Curiosity’, creating an intimate connection between themselves and the crowd. Stripped back to just Tom Faithfull’s heartfelt vocals and Ben Matthias’ accompaniment, the performance became an anthem of emotional sincerity. The crowd sang along to every lyric, showing how the song still resonates with fans.
When the band launched into ‘Mariana’ and 'I'm A Liar', Tom Faithfull’s vocals shone through with pure passion. Dave Tute on bass delivered an irresistibly groovy line on ‘I’m A Liar’, driving the rhythm and keeping the crowd moving. Bathed in waves of green and blue light, the room pulsed with energy. “Manchester, you’ve been everything we wanted and more,” Tom called out, his words met with roars from the crowd.
The band brought the night to an emotional close with ‘Cariad’, a track that saw not a dry eye in the venue and sent the atmosphere soaring to new heights. As the final chorus rang across the venue, the crowd’s voices merged with Tom Faithfull’s, creating a moment of pure connection between band and fans. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable evening- one overflowing with raw emotion, passion, and energy.