Royal Blood, review: Britain's new rock heroes send a current through Electric Ballroom
Duo Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher make a big sound
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Proud creators of the fastest-selling British rock album in three years, Brighton-formed duo Royal Blood certainly know how to put on a good show.
A third of the audience has formed a giant mosh pit about 10 seconds into the first track – shoes and beer flying all over the place – and halfway through a storming rendition of ‘Little Monster’ it seems that everyone is slamming into one another in a boiling, good-humoured mass.
Mike Kerr’s clear, seductive voice reminds of Band Of Skulls’ Russell Marsden, along with the groovy, hardened swagger of his bass-that-sounds-like-a-guitar, and he and drummer Ben Thatcher have a big enough stage presence to fool you into thinking that there are more than two of them.
There are no gimmicks: the band seem unwilling to try and emulate the excess of old rock, preferring instead to push that huge, riff-driven sound that strips away all the crap to get to the meatier stuff.
It’s a short set without an encore, but there are no grumbles. Royal Blood don’t ask to be worshipped, yet for their live performance alone, fans may have found themselves a couple of new heroes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments