Performing on Wednesday 17th May 2017
Support from Black Honey
*****
It was around three years ago that Royal Blood released their self-titled debut album. Filled with aggression ignited by the heavy guitar sounds ringing throughout, the Brighton duo, comprising members Mike Kerr (guitar/vocals) and Ben Thatcher (drums), set out to conquer the bleak rock world, with great success.
A month away from releasing their highly-anticipated follow up album, the excitement for the UK's brightest rock prospects had to be re-energised. And how better to do that than to release four dates in the middle of May in four random UK cities, including Cambridge's minute yet mighty Corn Exchange. A rain-soaked crowd's warm-up was provided by Black Honey, a band whose signature sound is defined by lead singer Izzy Baxter's unique vocals. Clad with a guitar with the words 'Girls only' in a fancy font across the base and dazzling in front of a flashing Black Honey sign, Baxter's overall stage presence is whimsical and somewhat addicting. Somewhere between dazed and enthusiastic, Black Honey's indie rock sound acting in its usual way - hooking unassuming people into its overall charm and wonder.
Just after 9pm, a roar filled the air as Ben Thatcher sat upon his throne (known to the naked eye as a silvery drum kit with a six eyed tiger varnished on the front) whilst Mike Kerr engaged the crowd from the front line. The hour long set was a combination of debut familiarities and snippets of brand new material. 'Lights Out', released a few weeks ago, engaged an enthusiastic echo from the crowd as they accompanied Kerr's every word. A firm favourite from the debut 'Loose Change' incited a raucous formation of mosh pits, nothing out of the ordinary for a Royal Blood gig. A new and fascinating light show that appeared at the halfway mark, however, did excite the crowd in a way that a light show never has before.
Upon first listen to the already released new singles 'Lights Out' and 'Hook, Line and Sinker' it may seem that the new album will not be too different from the debut. Repetition being something that many music fans and critics alike feared from the first mention of album two and something the die-hards are quick to defend. However, all fear that may have lingered within any of the crowd member's minds was to be squashed the minute a keyboard was rolled out on the stage to commence 'Hole in your Heart'. Carrying a different style from anything Royal Blood have released previously, it left the crowd satisfied, and more importantly, reassured that this new album will have a surprise lurking in amongst its familiarity. Completing the set promptly an hour later was debut opener 'Out of the Black'. To add fuel to the ever-increasing fire erupting from the crowd's reactions to their explosive live set, Kerr accompanies Thatcher at the throne before quietly and calmly kicking and throwing it around. A dramatic yet compelling ending to a truly incredible set.
As the new album looms and the sceptics gather, Royal Blood calmly and collectively prove why they are one of the UK's most treasured live acts.
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