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Royal Blood are a British rock band, comprising Mike Kerr (bassist, singer) and Ben Thatcher (drummer). They formed in Brighton in 2013.
There are meteoric rises, and then there are the kind of success stories that Royal Blood can lay claim to. They only started playing music together in early 2013, but began to pick up a head of steam after playing just a handful of shows; in June of that year, Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders - who has form on this front - wore one of the band’s shirts onstage during their Glastonbury headline performance, before the pair had even released a single. Later that year, they confirmed that they’d support the Sheffield titans in London the following year, and also dropped a debut single, ‘Out of the Black’.
Their second single, ‘Little Monster’, as well as the B-side form their first, ‘Come On Over’, generated considerable hype in early 2014, but it was a slew of high-profile festival slots at the likes of T in the Park, Reading and Leeds and Radio 1’s Big Weekend that propelled them to the success they’d taste later in the year; their self-titled debut, released in late August 2014, smashed sales records, becoming the fastest-selling British debut rock album in three years. The pair will be on the road in support of it for the foreseeable future.
Read moreI discovered this band upon hearing they were streaming their debut album for free on iTunes days before release, and instantly fell in love, without even realising this four-or-five-piece-sounding band was in fact just produced by Mike Kerr on the bass and vocals, and Ben Thatcher on drums. I just knew I had to buy the album, which led me entering a competition from the band to win a Royal Blood themed bass. This ultimately led to me getting a presale code from the band for the Nov 11th gig. I was struggling to find friends who'd even heard of the band, but nonetheless I gathered a couple of people to join me and ordered the tickets. And oh what a great decision! As it turned out, the regular tickets, released two days later, sold out in 2 minutes! On 10th Nov I was buzzing for the gig, which was expected the following day, only to find out Mike had severe tonsillitis and the gig would be postponed until January. I was so gutted, but up until this day, I gained an even greater love for the band, who seemed to be rapidly gaining popularity - so much so that I was lucky enough to get tickets for them supporting the effing Foo Fighters with Iggy Pop at Wembley Stadium! The support act 'Turbowolf' also gained some popularity and -it seems- time to develop as a live act throughout this period.
On Jan 8th, I finally went to the Oxford O2 only to find myself a row behind the barrier, awaiting Turbowolf. I feel they totally deserve some credit here because, oh, what perfect support they were. The crowd was inevitably 700% less bloody mental for them but it must be said, their singer is now my favourite frontman of all time behind Dave Grohl.
Anyway, since this is a review for the great Royal Blood, and not Turbowolf -whom I will endeavour to see again- I will focus now on them. Ben and Mike absolutely killed it at this very special gig in a 1000 cap venue - definitely the last time they'll be playing somewhere that small. What an entrance they made, walking on to a strobe and whatever that epic, electronic, four-note, horn-part-sounding tune is. They then broke in with that absolute brilliance that is 'Come on Over', a perfect first song to set us all off. After the complete lack of movement from the crowd during Turbowolf, which is of course expected, the insanity of the bone-breaking mosh that broke in took me by a pleasantly mind-blowing surprise. Being one of my first gigs with neither a non-heavy band nor family-friendly crowd, I was reluctant to join the centre of this brutal mosh pit at first, and stood with my friends amongst the insanity but not enclosed by it. I gradually, however, broke into this and I have to say, the crowd's reaction was as important to the quality of the gig as the band themselves. It was truly something special, and in Royal Blood's case, I would expect the same beautiful crowd reaction at all future gigs.
'You Can Be So Cruel' followed, with the great 'Figure it Out' following after that. It was a perfect start to the gig with three absolute tunes to set us all off. They then played the excellent Come on Over B-side 'You Want Me', and then built it all up with the climactic 'Better Strangers', the ending of which led onto one of my favourite moments of the gig when they played 'Little Monster', one of my very favourites, to which the crowd went mental; we all shouted along in that sweaty, bruise and booze filled room. Each song that followed during the short, hour-or-so long set was -of course, given that this is Royal Blood- an absolutely bangin tune. The duo expectedly ended with the great 'Out of the Black', surely soon to be a modern rock legend. The crowd went ecstatic and bodies were torn to shreds (metaphorically speaking). The mind-blowing Ben Thatcher left the drums to climb onto the barrier, welcoming his well-deserved worship from the crowd before doing the classic point towards Mike on the bass, signalling a mind-mauling build up to the cranium-explodingly sick live version to the song's ending, in which Ben climbed onto his stool and absolutely abused his cymbals. This sensationally dramatic ending signalled the end to the entire gig, where no (in this case unnecessary) encore followed and the music began playing instantly through the speakers, in order not to raise anyone's hopes.
If you're think I about seeing them, seriously, go and see them.
Having seen RB twice before, once in the tiny Newport Centre ,when they were incredible, and supporting Foo Fighters at MK Bowl, where they were good but got a bit lost in the size of the place , I was really looking forward to seeing them at the 1700 capacity Guildhall.
Well right from the word go you could tell they had become a lot more polished both in their sound and their stage set . Kicking off with a new song they sounded as tight as ever and I'm still amazed at how much noise 2 people can make . Crowd favourites Loose Change and Figure it Out swiftly followed with the mosh pit now in full swing . New single Lights Out went down a storm and another new song featuring Mike on ..gasp ..keyboards..also received a good response.
Ten Tonne Skeleton and Out of the Black finished the show in grand style with the crowd in raptures but the duo failed to do an encore.
This was especially disappointing as the whole set came in at a paltry 70 minutes the only real drawback of the whole night . Where were the TRex covers when you needed them ? Also the new songs , although good, had Muse overtones, which didn't entirely impress as I'm not a fan I'm afraid .
All in all 8/10 still recommended but not entirely sure how they will sound in the newly announced arena tour .
Ps Their much vaunted ticketless policy didn't really work as I was only asked for the original payment card and wasn't asked for copy of email or ID which they insisted you wouldn't be allowed in without?
Royal Blood are the hottest property in rock music right now, and justifiably after releasing a debut album full of killer tunes and a sound that is slightly different to anything else. However the question is can they cut it live? The answer is a resounding yes!
Coming on to JayZ's 99 Problems, the eager crowd are soon jumping around to opener Come On Over and before you know it we are 4 songs in.
For a two-piece, the noise is rich and all encompassing. The vocals are bang on too and singer Mike Kerr has a good stage presence, without too much chat between songs. In fact I think drummer Ben Thatcher is the more outgoing of the two, milking adulation from the crowd at every opportunity.
Every song from the album is given an airing, plus b-side You Want Me, finishing with Out Of The Black. It's hard to pick out highlights when every track is great but this last song, along with Figure It Out and Ten Tonne Skeleton were my personal best-bits!
The only disappointment is that they don't have more tunes to play yet and the set is not even an hour long. There are questions about how they will cope playing in larger venues and stadiums, can they make another album as good as their debut and can they grow and develop their sound? All made more challenging as there are only two of them, and we will have to wait and see. But for now, just go and see them and enjoy them for what they are - the most exciting new rock band around.
Full Disclosure: I'm a Bass Player so any band that spotlights said instrument gets my full attention!
When that band like Royal Blood consist of two members, Mike Kerr: bass & vocals Ben Thatcher: drums, I'm even more intrigued!! Musically Royal Blood float in that area of two member bands like The White Stripes and The Black Keys but arguably more heavier given that the Bass is the lead instrument as the others are guitar driven.
Live they are very energetic and interact with the crowd well. Ben at one point left his drum kit and body surfed for a bit!
Mike has more effects laid out in front of him than Steve Vai and makes full use of the whole set up making his Bass sound like a a full band on it's on!
But they also have the songs to back up their wall of noise they produce. New songs like "I only Lie when I Love You" has a monstrous hook that in the heyday of MTV and Radio would have been a huge hit no question.
And songs of their first album like "Monster" will just pummel you into the ground with it's sludgy early Soundgarden approach.
I wish these two guys all the luck and good fortune in their, what I hope to be, long career! I'm a fan. And... ROCK IS NOT DEAD!
The concert was great. The band played all of their best songs and the solos were the highlights of the night. I really liked the intro too because it was in a Christmas mood. Carol of the bells is definitely my favorite Christmas song after this concert. I really liked how the singer sang everything through without skipping any parts in songs. The quality of the performance was on top and my friend and I had a very good time on the concert. I am very grateful that the band made it to Zurich after all. It was very cool and remarkable. Even the warm-up band before Royal Blood was very cool which I honestly didn't expect. All in all, I was very happy with the performance and how the band cheered up the audience. The atmosphere in the hall was crazy and very rock-n-roll. I really hope to see the band here again.
Although this was only my second rock concert, it's definitely going to outdo any show in my concert-going future. The energy from Mike and Ben radiated into the crowd, and being on the barrier was a dream come true. sure, my neck experienced *some* pain from excessive headbanging, but my mood was not phased one bit. Mike and Ben are truly a bloody insane duo, and they kept the energy all the way up to 11 the whole time. I've been obsessed with them for about a year, and they managed to sound even better live than in the studio. Absolutely no doubt that I'm DEFINITELY going to see them again when they come around next.
One of the best live bands I've seen in ages, and the Newcastle crowd did it justice too. Having driven down from Glasgow (cmon RB we need to see you at the famous Glasgow Barrowlands), the venue, the crowd and Royal Blood were on fire!
Ben and Mike rocked it out and the sound that came from them was like a sound from a four or five piece band, looking forward to the album and it was great to see Mike on the keyboards and guitar at at almost the same time!
Love to Black Honey who a great supporting act, one to watch out for the future, mix of Joan Jett and Gwen Steffani
Royal Blood are absolutely fantastic. If you haven't seen them, then they're a must. The music was just awesome and the sound coming from just two blokes, a guitar and drums was different and loud. There's nothing like it. Loved the lyrics, loved the music, loved the show. A great night and will go and see them again!
The only gripe about playing in a big arena like Nottingham Motorpoint Arena is that the sound can become distorted but it was the same with Queens of the Stone Age at the Greenwich O2. Not the fault of the band but the venue.
Talk about working a crowd into a frenzy...Mike Kerr of Royal Blood did just that last night @ jannus live. Ben Thatcher was a crowd favorite...so much energy and skill on the skins and with the crowd, he rallied the troops throughout the entire show. Special thanks to TurboWolf for an excellent set to get the crowd into the onslaught of power rock by these two talented Brits. Very engaging with the crowd...Royal Blood has a true cult following in the Tampa Bay area....all ages...all persuasions were kicking up their heels for this show.
I had high expectations going in and I was still blown away by their performance. What a great band to see live. I have been reading a lot about Royal Blood lately from the UK music mags (mostly NME) and I was expecting a great show. These TWO guys sure make it sound like your listening to a full band. The drummer hits those skins harder than I've seen a drummer in a long time. The show was about forty five minutes and ten songs deep. I loved every minute. Go see them now before they move on to bigger venues!
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Unfortunately there are no concert dates for Royal Blood scheduled in 2024.
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