Brisbane’s pop-punk upstarts Two Times Shy are soaring lofty heights as they let loose their …
ROYAL BLOOD with Polish Club & Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
Tuesday 24th April, 2018
On a hard Tuesday’s night in Fox Studios, rock enthusiasts were ready for some Royal Blood and eager to get sweaty inside Sydney’s iconic Hodern Pavillion.
The English duo’s rise to prominence is down to their sheer talent and a primal rock n’ roll energy that is undeniable. For just a bassist and drummer to create such a powerful sound without the need of a guitarist is remarkable but to see them live really shows you why Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher are one of the most talked about rock duos right now.
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Touring on the back of their 2017 release How Did We Get So Dark, Australian fans would have already seen them play the new material live at last year’s Splendour In The Grass festival but this time around there was the chance for fans to attend their biggest headline show in Australia to date, the times of playing small club shows long behind them.
Royal Blood are making a strong case for safeguarding a style of music that has been roaring for over half a century despite other popular music styles overshadowing its dominion.
The support acts were Perth’s Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Sydney’s Polish Club, both very fitting to a Royal Blood tour down under. The Crumpets came on at 7pm to dedicated punters who were right in front of the stage ready to catch all the action. The band’s doomy riffs and prog melodies were dazzling and you felt as if you were back in the early 70’s perhaps even amongst the Canterbury music scene.
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets // By Ashley Mar
Polish Club was a very different affair but equally as riveting. The duo takes the same minimal approach as Royal Blood but with guitar and drums instead of bass. They entertained an almost full house playing music that gives you an idea of what The Beatles would have sounded like if they had been a straight up punk outfit. From a local’s point of view it was satisfying to know there are bands nationally who can take their music to thousands of people on a Tuesday night sounding really tight to boot.
Polish Club // By Ashley Mar
The moment that everyone was waiting for finally arrived with both Mike and Ben taking the stage to KC and The Sunshine Band’s classic hit single Get Down Tonight. Royal Blood started off by playing songs from their latest release as well as their 2014 self titled album to a backdrop of colourful vibrant light that added to the band’s aesthetic. In addition to the duo’s meaty riffs and pulsating back beats there was an opportunity to highlight Ben’s drumming prowess, it seems no matter what decade we’re in drum solos will always solidify a band’s rock credentials. It’s also imperative for any rock band to stir up the crowd, which they certainly did, on multiple occasions the audience opened up a large space to mosh pit frantically. With just two albums under their belt, Royal Blood already have a couple of anthems, one being their first ever single Figure It Out with its adrenaline stimulating riff and the heart pounding encore Out of the Black. These two songs alongside an impressive set list that covered their two albums almost in full quite effectively is why they are one of Britain’s best and youngest rock n’ roll exports in 2018.
Royal Blood // By Ashley Mar
When it comes to the attitude of the musicians on stage playing their instruments The White Stripes were the last rock duo to really make the statements that rock is not dead and that less is more. Royal Blood are making a strong case for safeguarding a style of music that has been roaring for over half a century despite other popular music styles overshadowing its dominion. Royal Blood like the many great bands that have come before them will keep enticing young people to go out on a week night to hear live rock n’ roll and long may that continue!
Royal Blood // By Ashley Mar
Catch Royal Blood at the remaining dates:
Friday 27th April // Groovin The Moo // Wayville (Lic/AA)
Saturday 28th April // Groovin The Moo // Maitland (Lic/AA)
Sunday 29th April // Groovin The Moo // Canberra (Lic/AA)
Tuesday 1st May // Logan Campbell Centre // Auckland (Lic/AA) with Polish Club, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets & Dead Favours
Thursday 3rd May // TSB Bank Arena // Wellington (Lic/AA) with Polish Club, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets & Dead Favours
Saturday 5th May // Groovin The Moo // Bendigo (Lic/AA)
Sunday 6th May // Groovin The Moo // Townsville (Lic/AA)
Monday 7th May // Riverstage // Brisbane (Lic/AA) with Polish Club & Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Wednesday 9th may // Margaret Court Arena // Melbourne (Lic/AA) with Polish Club & Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
Saturday 12th May // Groovin The Moo // Bunbury 9 Lic/AA)
Sunday 13th May // HBF Stadium // Perth (Lic/AA) with Polish Club & Psychedelic Porn Crumpets
