Reytons declare victory for the underdogs at Magna gig

With little airplay or media attention (aside from on these pages), the self-styled Kids Off the Estate have built a live reputation that continues to sell out venues and took their debut album to Number 11 last November.

Friday night’s gig at Magna’s Big Hall sold out in just ten hours — the sort of interest more commonly associated with more established artists — and social media told the tale of busloads travelling from far and wide and fans heading for Rotherham from overseas.

Yerrell hailed the occasion as “a f****** special night, one I will never forget”, adding: “Reytons is more than a band. Reytons is for the underdog.”

Underdogs or not, the Reytons’ infectious music, combined with lyrics invoking a working class world of corner shops, pubs and childhoods where “Clifton Park was Disneyland”, have clearly struck a chord with thousands, while their energetic live shows, bursting with memorable riffs and singalong choruses, have solidified their success.

Friday night’s 17-song setlist was a reminder how prolific Yerrell and bandmates Joe O’Brien, Lee Holland and Jamie Todd have been in a short space of time, and every track was bellowed back at them by a heaving 4,500-strong crowd.

From Mind the Gap through Antibiotics, Slice of Lime and Low Life to the storming closer Broke Boys’ Cartel, this was a Reytons completist’s dream.

It’s going to be hard act to follow. Next stop? Well, Clifton Park seems fitting!