LIVE: RATBOY @ Rayleigh Mill, Essex 03.10.15

Since The Only Way Is Essex made its television debut in 2010, Essex has struggled to form a reputation which stretches beyond a tonne of fake tan, bleached gnashers, and unnecessary gems on genitalia. Fortunately, on Saturday night at Rayleigh Mill & Arts Centre, there was a reason to celebrate belonging to this seemingly doomed county – 19 year old Jordan Cardy – aka RATBOY.

Local lad Jordan has been spreading RATBOY’s authentic, shambolic, give a f**k attitude to teens and twenty-odds all over the country. The self-professed “scum” song-writer took to the stage adorned in baby pink cap and NWA hoody, whilst guitarist Harry topically labelled his instrument with the words ‘Pig F***r’. Together; Jordan, Harry, Liam & Noah delivered their mix of riotously infectious indie with full force on the final leg of their current UK tour.

RATBOY may have been anticipating a slightly larger crowd; but what they lacked in numbers the fans made up for in rowdiness. For every song there was a mad mosh, and not a single set of feet stood still for final two songs ‘Sign On’ and ‘Fake ID’. New track ‘Wasteman’ was a clear favourite, so were ‘Carry On’ and ‘Laughter’- rad tunes both taken from the Mixtape EP

Fans hit up local watering hole The Pink Toothbrush after the gig, easily identifiable in their baby pink caps freshly purchased from the merch stand. RATBOY and Rayleigh were more than rowdy on Saturday night; they were raw, riotous, and right happy to celebrate Jordan Cardy’s success. No doubt there were “regrettable decisions and slightly blurred vision” when fans awoke late Sunday morning; but at least they’ve got the memory of RATBOY jumping in to the crowd to help them through the hangover.

Also – not to make it personal or anything – but I flunked out of Uni when I was 18 and I had to ‘Sign On’. Things would’ve been infinitely better if I’d had a RATBOY Mixtape to listen to, instead of King’s Of Leon’s ‘Sex On Fire’ (Sorry Followills, but it’s true).

Support came from the superb ZIBRA.

Kate Crudgington

@KCBobCut