The Royston Club at the Forum
Kicking off the weekend, The Royston Club continued their sold-out Songs for the Spine UK tour at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. Their Halloween special brought together new and old fan favourites, such as Mrs Narcissistic, Mariana, and Glued to the Bed. Following their critically acclaimed debut, their second album provides a further exploration of emotive storytelling.
Anticipation had built before they had even walked on stage. In the warm glow of the lights, a chant of “Royston!” became a roaring cheer when The Patch Where Nothing Grows opened the show. The attention to care was admirable, with ushers passing around glasses of water to those standing. The mood in the stalls was especially unrestrained, with at least one attempt at crowd-surfing. Fans sang along to every word and seemed entirely lost in the performance. If lead vocalist Tom Faithfull wasn’t singing into the microphone, then the audience certainly were. The surprisingly gentle A Tender Curiosity provided a brief respite, but both band and attendees possessed a seemingly inexhaustible supply of energy.
Making the most of the Halloween spirit and calling back to the religious imagery in Songs for the Spine, the musicians dressed as mediaeval monks, complete with matching robes and tonsure wigs. Amusingly, the wigs eventually found their way into the reaching hands of the crowd.
The stage set-up was simple and carefully tailored to highlight the group’s performance. During Spinning, the lights created a dizzying effect mirroring the emotional depth with thoughtful precision. Dedicated to the audience, Cariad was a moving end to the night, with fans still singing as they walked out of the doors.
Blending folkloric lyricism with archetypal indie-rock melodies and passionate delivery, The Royston Club appear to have found their hallmark – vulnerability and an undeniable audience connection.
Sofia Hamandi
Photos: Cristiana Ferrauti
For further information and future events, visit The Royston Club’s website here.
Watch the video for Glued to the Bed here:
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