Royal Blood
Brighton Centre – Wednesday, September 15
IT was a showstopping homecoming to remember for Royal Blood – in more ways than one.
There was a tentative start to proceedings by the fans inside the Brighton Centre during The Mysterines’ support act – post-Covid nerves perhaps.
But a rendition of Thin Lizzy’s Boys Are Back In Town over the intercom soon set the tone for Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher’s return to their home town.
Mike, who grew up in Worthing, entered the stage donned in matching silver jacket and Dr Martens, guitar in hand.
“Brighton you dirty dogs,” said the front man.
Rustington’s very own Ben Thatcher soon followed, before a passionate rendition of Typhoons – the title track of Royal Blood’s latest album.
Drinks, shoes, inflatable guitars, limbs, even human beings began flying through the air as the rock band, who formed in Brighton, shredded the stage.
Mike was soon to remind the adoring crowd that “rock and roll is back”.
The electrifying excitement of returning to rock and roll gigs could be felt in the room. But for some, it was clearly too much.
A fight broke out during Little Monster, which led to drummer Ben halting proceedings.
“Oh come on you bunch of f****** losers, break it up,” Mike exclaimed bluntly as security dealt with the perpetrators.
Pausing the show could’ve killed the atmosphere. But it made the crowd even more rowdy – but this time, in the right way.
An extended two-minute drum solo was signed off by Ben with a swig of tequila before tossing his sticks into the audience, much to their delight.
As if the crowd weren’t already on their side, Ben performed a costume change, re-entering the stage in a Brighton and Hove Albion shirt, kissing the badge.
Mike, who changed guitar for every song in the set, had some fun of his own, encouraging those in the mosh pits to boo those in the seated areas until they were on their feet.
Under a single spotlight, Mike showed off his vocal range and piano abilities during a rendition of All We Have Is Now during the encore, before the showstopper.
The final song of the night, Figure It Out, summed up Royal Blood, their music and the gig itself. Pure mayhem.
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