Review: Royal Blood Live at The O2

The duo prove that they can play the big arenas as The O2 is treated to a simple yet mega live show.

This year would mark eight years since Royal Blood released their outrageous self-titled debut album. An album that I loved from the start to finish. All killer no filler. Just as an album should be. I just knew there was something special about the duo and it wouldn't be long till they played arenas. Fast forward in time, Me and my friends are going to see Royal Blood play at the O2 arena for one of their biggest headline shows to date and this left us wondering afterwards, surely it's time for this band to play a major festival. Right?

Before the duo got on stage, we were treated to a set from The Amazons who have been away writing album number three. we, unfortunately, missed part of the set due to the long queues at the O2, however, we did get to catch their last few songs which included 'Doubt It' and 'Black Magic'. The band has not lost their touch in lockdown and were on fine form and I'm excited to see where they go with their new music in September this year. Maybe we will see them come back to the O2 one day as headliners. Only time will tell but I think the band has it in them to do it and this support set was a good way of demonstrating it.

Royal Blood frontman Mike Kerr said to NME before the tour that they wouldn't rely "heavily on too many gimmicks". Don't get me wrong, I love bands like Muse who will have drones flying around arenas while they play or Slipknot who will have flamethrowers going off and hitting kegs with baseball bats that are on fire. It's amazing visually and adds an extra element to their live shows. However, I fully respect what Royal Blood are doing on this tour. A few lights, a big screen and their instruments are all the duo needed to entertain the O2 for an hour and a half. It's a real credit to the band that they can put on such a great show without the gimmicks.

The band pulled off all the stops with their setlist as well, with songs from all three of their albums featuring in their set as well as the new single 'Honeybrains'. It was very hard not to be jumping up and down for every song when the band were pulling out bangers such as 'Typhoons', 'Lights Out' and 'Come on Over'. This was only four songs in. Just four!. It was as if the band were just flexing their muscles just showing off before they get into the real thing. You start to realise how many great songs Royal Blood have produced in the last decade and also have a glimpse of what the band are going to do next.

The chemistry between Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher is just electrifying when they play. It's clear that these guys are the best of friends and it comes across in their live shows. After they played the new single 'Honeybrains', the band saw the positive response from the crowd and instantly high fived each other. Happy with what they have achieved. The duo work so well together and hit every note perfectly for the biggest gig that they have ever done.

Probably one of the best yet saddest moments of the concert happened in the middle of the band's performance of 'Little Monster' where drummer, Ben Thacher paid tribute to the late Foo Fighter drummer, Taylor Hawkins by playing one of the legendary drummer's drum solos. Royal Blood had toured with the Foo Fighters after the release of their first album and you can see how people such as Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins mentored Royal Blood and made them the live act that they are today. The solo also displayed Thchers incredible skill behind the drums and acted as a great tribute to an amazing drummer, with many of the O2 up on their feet in appreciation with many getting emotional in the process.

The encore would possibly be the strongest part of the show with Mike Kerr jumping on the piano for 'All We Have Is Now' which calmed the mood for a short time before the band get straight back into the swing of things with 'Ten Tonne Skeleton' and 'Out of the Black' bringing the curtain down on one of the biggest shows on the tour.

Going back to the start of this review, I asked if Royal Blood could headline a major festival. My conclusion to this would be if they aren't ready now then when will they be?. The band were on electric form at the O2 showing off their skills as musicians and performers to the delight of the London crowd and ultimately demonstrating that they are more than capable to play on the biggest stages of them all.