ROYAL BLOOD’S DECADE OF DOMINANCE: A TRIUMPHANT ANNIVERSAY SHOW AT BRIXTON

When it’s time to celebrate the tenth anniversary of your debut record, many battle the muddy waters of whether an anniversary is warranted. For Royal Blood, the answer couldn’t be clearer. A celebration is more expected than met with raised eyebrows.

Crowned the fastest-selling British debut rock album in three years, Royal Blood’s self-titled 2014 debut was released at the height of the rock revival, headed by Arctic Monkeys and their fifth studio album AM. It’s no secret that this record brought overwhelming global success, and with that came an overflowing trophy cabinet. Some awards included Best Vinyl Art of 2014, Best British Group (BRITs) and Best New Band (NME).

Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher’s signature sound, made up of unique bass effects, was first unveiled on the Out Of The Black EP. “Ben was the only person I wanted to start a band with, we didn’t even consider adding another member, just a two-piece by default.” explains Kerr. Their presence quickly caught the attention of Dave Grohl, Jimmy Page and Matt Helders, and the rest is history.

Fresh from the muddy fields of Download Festival and what feels like a non-stop touring schedule since being unshackled from the pandemic, the Brighton-duo were to embark on 15 special anniversary shows. Of which included two nights at the recently re-opened O2 Academy Brixton. At face value, these are a string of parties to wish their firstborn happy birthday. In reality, it saw them face head-on how far they’ve come; a journey which has seen them embrace, overdo and subsequently quit the sought-after rock and roll lifestyle.

After an electric support slot from rising stars Crawlers, who recently released their debut, the room was more than ready to embrace one of Britain’s most notorious rock and roll bands.

Needing no introduction, the monstrous opening of Out Of The Black fires the starting gun for a complete album play-through. “Hello, Brixton” Kerr glares, narrowing his focus. Or reminiscing the last time he was here, in 2015, as their second-ever London show. Thatcher’s routine departure from behind the drums to vault the barrier and join the crowd was all the more fun being a smaller venue than usual. His bolt back to the kit to finish the track never gets old. Come On Over and Figure It Out follow, spawning mammoth mosh pits across the 5,000-packed room.

Reaching You Can Be So Cruel, it became clear how much of a battering this record is. It does little to hold back, hurling enormous dirty riffs unrelentingly in your face. If this album was a person, you would not be throwing hands. And Little Monster is certainly the perfect example of a punch in the face, remaining a crowd-favourite since its inception. Tonight’s rendition welcomed a special guest, Oliver Hawkins, to hijack the drums. “Loud as you can” screams Mike, the crowd reciting every word: ‘I’ve got love on my fingers, lust on my tongue’. Finishing on a massive drum solo, the beast of Taylor Hawkins lives on through this son, who arguably is becoming an impressive drummer in his own right (at just 17).

Powering through other album tracks Loose Change, Careless and Better Strangers, those crunchy bass lines rattled our bones. Careless and Better Strangers felt like lost toys being found, having been thrown to the side for years. If tonight’s anything to go by, some of these tracks might end up back in heavy rotation. As the final notes ring out, the backdrop falls. A new sheet was revealed, adorned with the iconic lion symbol associated with the band. This small, but mighty, change marked the beginning of act-two.

We’d given the debut a memorable anniversary. Perhaps stuffing our faces with too much cake. Now it was time to let loose and transition into everything the pair have done since. Throwing in tracks predominantly from their latest effort, Back To The Water Below, made us appreciate the nuances of the record. Hearing tunes like Pull Me Through and tour-debut Waves, it was apparent how full and polished their sound has become, compared to being fairly black and white initially. Waves was undeniably one of the best performances of the entire second half.

Stacking up Boilermaker, Mountains At Midnight and Supermodel Avalanches was a hammering of rock’n roll and proved the duo have still got it, despite what some say. The latter could’ve been a lead single but was buried away as a bonus single, a habit the band often fall into. Typhoons, the soundtrack to Mike’s sobriety, served as a luscious palette cleanser. Bringing some glam rock to an otherwise heavy evening was, dare we say it, a much-needed respite. Despite not having the stage setup from their previous arena tour, it went down a storm, with a modest collection of beaming lights.

Things weren’t going to finish things without a B-side, adding in One Trick Pony for the hard-core fans. People went understandably nuts. Having tracks like this hidden away is a sign of strength. Even so, we lusted for Love And Leave It Alone or Hole (which got its moment on Brixton night 2).

Before closing the show, Kerr took a moment to show his appreciation: “Thanks for coming down, and for your loyalty, and ten years. We’re so grateful to still be doing this. There’s so many familiar faces, I see people who have come to every show.”

The big finale was How Did We Get So Dark?, the lead single of their sophomore record. It never fails to get people jumping, which includes the balcony on this night. Ben let loose on the drums, hammering away, while Mike threw himself across the stage. In a similar fashion to how the night started (Out Of The Black), the duo’s primal energy took the reigns for a gargantuan finish.

The tale of Royal Blood is an immense rock and roll story. A duo more akin to brothers than bandmates. 10 years since their timeless debut, Mike is healthier than ever and Ben has more tattoos. They’ve toured the world, released four no.1 albums and (at times) singlehandedly kept hard-rock in the mainstream.

From the twisted moments of How Did We Get So Dark?, to the dance floor on Typhoons and beach-soaked Back To The Water Below, Royal Blood have proven to be a formidable force with little that can stop them. Tonight was truly the ultimate victory lap. Paying homage to what made them who they are today, and showcasing how they’ve kept their groundbreaking formula fresh for over a decade.

Don’t miss Royal Blood’s remaining anniversary dates and festival appearances this summer. There may still be tickets available here.

Setlist:

— Anniversary —

1. Out Of The Black
2. Come On Over
3. Figure It Out
4. You Can Be So Cruel
5. Blood Hands
6. Little Monster (ft. Oliver Shane Hawkins)
7. Loose Change
8. Careless
9. Ten Tonne Skeleton
10. Better Strangers

— Part II —

11. Boilermaker
12. Mountains At Midnight
13. Supermodel Avalanches
14. Typhoons
15. Pull Me Through
16. One Trick Pony
17. Lights Out

— Encore —

18. Waves
19. Trouble’s Coming
20. How Did We Get So Dark?

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