Everywhere Every Single Day: The Rions Gig Review

Kaavya Guhan
May 27
3 min read

Updated: May 28

On a warm Friday evening in May, a queue gradually began to form outside of Islington Assembly Hall, eager to see The Rions. Many fans could be seen wearing T-shirts of the band, and as the time for them to appear on stage became closer, the anticipation became increasingly more evident. ‘I'm so excited for this’, I overheard from one fan, ‘I know all the words’.

With a great Australian spirit, the crowd, many of whom were from Australia, shouted ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie’ as The Rions came onto the stage. Their attire was laid back and relaxed, which offered an intimate shared space with their fans. It matched the tone of their music well; it consists primarily of indie rock and pop, and their songs are rife with emotion and nostalgia.

The Rions opened with ‘Take What You Want', preparing the audience for what was a night Noah Blockey's impressive vocals conveyed the sense of love, loss and longing which the band is known for. I began to understand their experiences, stories, and messages they wished to share as the set progressed in songs like ‘Anakin’. It draws on the fear of changing and not being loved for yourself but rather a masked version, something that the audience could strongly relate to. This was enhanced by his band members, who played around with the rhythm and offered different layers to their songs, making it incredibly interesting to listen to. I was particularly drawn to how they often strike a balance between the vocals and instrumental parts of their songs, which encapsulated the listener into their world.

‘Oh, it’s good to be back!’ Blockey began as they finished the first part of the show. ‘We wouldn't think that on the other side of the world there would be this many people here, so thank you for coming’. I could see that their down-to-earth nature and humbleness are other reasons they are adored by their fans. It is evident in their music as well, as they draw on the simple moments in life that carry so much weight, something that distinguishes The Rions from other artists.

The tone soon shifted halfway through the set. In honour of headlining in the UK, The Rions performed a cover of ‘I've Got a Feeling’ by The Beatles, showcasing a cultural exchange between Australia and the UK. The audience roared with excitement as the song began and the band bonded with the fans through music that inspires and uplifts each other. The Rions’ ability to play with different genres was evident in this cover, which stood as a memorable moment for their British fans.

The set continued, and the band played their new single, ‘Idol’. It was clearly a fan favourite; the audience sang along loudly. The vocals blended seamlessly with the instruments, creating a hazy and comforting feeling. ‘Idol’ captures the power of love in all its forms, even if it is fleeting. This song was a personal favourite of mine for its lively guitar riff and catchy melody.

As the night came to a close, the band finished with ‘Minivan’, a song that shares the exciting and thrilling moments of young love. Being in the middle of the crowd with the audience singing the words ‘we're not going home’ was an incredible feeling and a reminder of music's power to bring people together.

Boakley shouted ‘goodnight’ to the crowd as they finished ‘Minivan’ and walked off stage. But that wasn't enough to keep them quiet – the fans demanded ‘one more song’ over and over as the lights went off, signalling the end to a vibrant night. Eager to impress, the band returned to the stage as their fans cheered boisterously and performed ‘Scumbag’ to finish the show.

Before exiting the stage, the band took one final bow, visibly energised by the crowd and a lively concert. The Rions showcased versatility, musicality and a strong connection with their fans in their concert. Their ability to capture hearts across the globe with their comforting and relatable music provides them with a distinct identity in the saturated musical landscape. Given their lively performances and loyal fanbase, it will be fascinating to see how their career flourishes.

Edited by Daria Slikker, Editor-in-Chief