They say the bonds formed as teenagers are the strongest. In that case, Wales’ main
contenders The Royston Club are an unbreakable unit, formed in Wrexham by schoolfriends
Ben Matthias (Guitar), Tom Faithfull (lead vocals, guitar) Dave Tute (Bass), later adding Sam
Jones (drums). After the lineup was complete, things moved fast: they hit the ground running,
performing a run of high-energy gigs in their hometown, self-recording and releasing demos
to an ever-expanding and devoted fanbase.
In 2021, they signed to Run On Records (home of The Coral), quickly making their mark by
releasing debut single Coasting, which reached no.10 on the official vinyl charts. Their sound
was established: anthemic indie hooks, life-affirming melodies and ragged riffs – songs to
soundtrack your life. Support slots soon came, with the likes of Jamie Webster, Blossoms and
The Academic, bookended by their own raucous headline tours. More studio time followed in
Chapel Studios, Lincoln; sessions which would eventually produce debut album Shaking
Hips And Crashing Cars, rocketing to number 16 on the official album charts, selling out of
all physical formats and subsequent special editions.
In the time after, things snowballed. They sold out London’s Koko, conquered Glastonbury
three times, headlined Focus Wales, and picked up Hollywood actor and Wrexham FC owner
Ryan Reynolds as a fan. Intermittent time on the road provided experience, space in which to
write. In early 2024, they went to Kempston Street studio, Liverpool, with producer Richard
Turvey (Blossoms, The Coral) for a session that led to last month’s critically acclaimed
comeback single The Patch Where Nothing Grows, showing a new depth to both the band’s
songwriting and performing, paving the way for an album to be confirmed later in the year.
In the meantime, the band’s rigorous work ethic continues; namely with slots at Portsmouth’s
Victorious festival, a couple of European dates, headlining both This Feeling’s Bridlington
By the Sea and Stockton’s Gathering Sounds festival, Liam Gallagher’s Malta Weekender,
and two shows at Liverpool O2 Academy, both of which have already sold out. If the
Royston Club are about to go skyward, then The Patch Where Nothing Grows is the perfect
launchpad.
