The Royston Club have accelerated into the next level as they prepare to release their eagerly anticipated second album, ‘Songs For The Spine’, this Friday. They’ve been inspiring big reactions from youthful crowds for headline shows, and they will play to 16,000 fans during their autumn UK headline tour. Meanwhile high profile summer festivals have already taken them from Neighbourhood Weekender to TRNSMT with main stage sets at Reading and Leeds incoming, alongside recent gigs as guests to Liam Gallagher, Kasabian and The Lathums. Factor in a famous fan in the shape of Ryan Reynolds and pre-orders that far exceed what they achieved with their #16 debut, and The Royston Club are clearly set for bigger things.
Now the band share a final burst of momentum ahead of the new album by sharing the new single ‘30/20’. It’s a song which captures the classic spark, groove and instant addictiveness that fans love them for, but with a grittier, bittersweet edge and a sweet falsetto from vocalist Tom Faithfull. It presents an engaging lyric theme – how a simple mistake makes you second guess bigger decisions that you’ve made in life.
Guitarist and main songwriter Ben Matthias says, “I wrote ‘30/20’ after spending a weekend back home in Wrexham. I was feeling guilty about the lack of visits back home throughout the past year and this guilt reached a sort of peak when I found myself speeding over the new 20 mph speed limit.
Wales had lowered the 30mph speed limit to 20mph the year before and I had simply forgot because I was now living in England. I felt a strange guilt when I realised my mistake and started questioning whether I had made the right decision leaving my home and putting blind faith in a song.’”
The band are also celebrating the release of the new album and their Wrexham roots by hosting a hometown pop-up shop, selling albums and merch as well as signing sessions and some freebies. They played their first ever gig at an open mic night at the Saith Seren pub in the town centre, and have played countless memorable homecomings since: launch shows for their debut album ‘Shaking Hips and Crashing Cars’, three chaotic nights at The Rockin’ Chair early in the year, and the football club’s official stadium celebration event after being promoted in the summer. The band themselves are a symbol of Wrexham’s wider resurgence.
‘30/20’ joins the recent singles ‘Cariad’, ‘Glued To The Bed’, ‘Shivers’ and ‘The Patch Where Nothing Grows’ in previewing ‘Songs From The Spine’. Produced by Rich Turvey (Blossoms, Rachel Chinouriri), the record keeps the foundations of the escapist indie-rock energy they were first known for, while taking their music in other directions: at turns, darker, more anthemic and exploratory. Ben’s lyrics have taken on another edge too, inspired by his admiration for Nick Cave’s poetic flair.
‘Songs From The Spine’ is available to pre-order or pre-save HERE. The Blood Records and Assai Records editions both sold out their limited pressing runs in no time, but the band’s official store offers a range of physical product, album bundles, signed items and new merch.
The Royston Club continue an intimate album release tour in Bristol today. They then embark upon their biggest UK headline tour to date in October – very limited tickets for some dates remain available HERE. The band will then take the tour into mainland Europe.
AUGUST
6th – Bristol Rough Trade (intimate album release event – matinee)
6th – Bristol Rough Trade (intimate album release event – evening – SOLD OUT)
7th – Manchester, Gorilla (intimate album release event – evening – SOLD OUT)
8th – Liverpool, Jacaranda (intimate album release event – matinee – SOLD OUT)
8th – Liverpool, Jacaranda (intimate album release event – evening – SOLD OUT)
9th – Wrexham, Rockin’ Chair (pop-up shop, free entry)
12th – London, Rough Trade East (intimate album release event – matinee)
12th – London, Rough Trade East (intimate album release event – evening – SOLD OUT)
13th – Brighton, Resident (intimate album release event – SOLD OUT)
14th – Hull, Welly Club (intimate album release event – evening)
15th – Hardwick Calling
22nd – Reading Festival
23rd – Leeds Festival
24th — Rock En Seine
OCTOBER – HEADLINE TOUR
16th – Brighton, Concorde 2 (SOLD OUT)
17th – Bristol, Electric (SOLD OUT)
18th – Birmingham, O2 Institute (SOLD OUT)
23rd – Manchester, Academy 1 (SOLD OUT)
24th – Newcastle, O2 City Hall (LOW TICKETS)
25th – Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom (FINAL TICKETS)
30th – Leeds, Stylus (NEW DATE)
31st – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town (FINAL TICKETS)
NOVEMBER – HEADLINE TOUR
1st – Sheffield, Octagon (SOLD OUT)
15th – Paris, Supersonic Records (LOW TICKETS)
18th – Amsterdam, Paradiso Noord (Tolhuistuin)
19th – Cologne, Blue Shell
20th – Berlin, Maschinenhaus
22nd – Hamburg, Nochtspeicher
28th – Kingston, Banquet Records / venue TBA (intimate album release event – evening)
DECEMBER – HEADLINE SHOWS
12th – Cardiff, The Great Hall (JUST ADDED)
13th – Liverpool, Mountford Hall (JUST ADDED)