the reytons - tramlines
the reytons - tramlines

It is always a daunting experience to play your first major festival, as a relative newcomer to the music scene. I don’t think many people knew what to expect when the lads took on the Leadmill stage at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield – with a set that overlapped chart topping Lewis Capaldi.

There was no need to have any doubt or worry – a chorus of “hear we f*****g go” rang around the 5,000 capacity tent in anticipation.

What erupted next can only be described as “mental entertainment” – from the first track the crowd broke out into mosh-pits. Unfortunately, many getting caught up in the carnage, as there was barely any room to contain the energy. The Reytons have certainly outgrown the Leadmill Stage! Being part of the crowd is not for the faint-hearted – but you certainly will remember it.

Interestingly, the usual confident lead Jonny Yerrell showed a couple of signs of nerves, which could have easily just been him being in-awe at the turnout. Nevertheless it’s this innocence that attracts you more to what can only now be described as a “movement”.

It’s safe to say the band may have been a little shocked at the amount of people who turned up, confirmed by bass player Lee Holland commenting afterwards:

“We didn’t know what to expect with Lewis on main stage”

Their fans have moved on from just finding them on Facebook, many commenting that they had seen them live before and knew their sets were full of energy and not to be missed. It was quite apparent that there is a core following when the words to the latest track “Wide eyes and halos” were being sang from the top of people’s lungs. The track only dropped on the 12th July!

Social media is plastered with post festival kudos for the lads from Yorkshire. Again, they are no longer just a newcomer – they are a grassroots movement.

Next stop for The Reytons is Y Not festival in Derbyshire, playing the Saloon Bar from 20:00 on the Friday. It will be interesting to see how the crowds change when they are a little further away from home. If the 4,000+ crowd at Tramlines is anything to go by, you won’t get anywhere near the Saloon Bar if you do not turn up early.

It may only take one decent sized festival to give them a slot on the main stage – to see them take off – I doubt they will regret it.