The Reytons & Lottery Winners, The Ritz. 2nd December 2022

This is a Reytons gig, but the support Lottery Winners are on a charm offensive, intent on stealing their audience. Thom’s on form, whipping up the already full crowd with his usual mix of comedy quips and storming indie pop bangers. Is there a bouncier, more engaging band around? I don’t think so. I know we’re on home turf but support slots are rarely this raucous. Everyone is singing, we’ve no choice, Thom demands it, “I want it louder than Liverpool!”. Challenge excepted. By the time we get to ‘21’ people are up on shoulders and nobody wants to go home. We don’t have to though, here come The Reytons! What can I tell you about this lot. Truth be told I don’t know them that well. I can tell you I’ve seen them once before in the Deaf Institute and it was nuts. The Ritz is much bigger, but the reaction from the crowd easily matches the space. I can’t name a single song, but make no mistake this lot are loved. The crowd are ferocious and devoted. Singing along to kitchen sink lyrics. Smashed together with indie riffs. The pit is insane. I’ll come out of this smelling of the venues crap weak beer and I don’t think I’ve seen as many shirtless people in here since 100gecs earlier this year. That was all genders though, tonight it’s just blokes. I’m not sure anyone else would be safe stripping off, it’s a very lad crowd. Arguably for a very lad sound. It is what it is and I’ve gotta say they are fucking good at what they do. It’s a bit route one though, music for the indie masses. I know that sounds negative, but I’ll say this. I won’t listen to this band much on record, but live, fuck me they’re good. It’s impossible not to witness a gig like this and not be impressed. People want something to believe in, something to lift them up. Reytons can do that. I’ll not lie, I prefer the Lottery Winners, despite my love for anything dark and heavy, but The Reytons are the real deal, a solid working band, doing it on their terms. No backing. No label. All Reytons. Turnip.