A quiet Friday night on Telegraph Blvd. in Oakland belied the sonic assault that was about to go down inside the historic Fox Theater in Oakland as folks steadily made their way inside for the dynamic duo known as Royal Blood.
HotWax, a fitting choice for the opening act, wasted no time in revving up the crowd even as they worked around Royal Blood’s drum riser which occupied the middle third of the massive stage. Blending grunge and punk influences that reverberated through the historic theater, the band’s raw energy and tight musicianship set the stage perfectly for the sonic onslaught that was to come while no doubt winning over some new fans.
As the anticipation reached its peak, the lights dimmed, and Royal Blood emerged from the shadows to a thunderous roar from the crowd. The British duo, consisting of Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher, immediately launched into “Hole” off their debut EP much to the crowd’s delight. In true form, the duo (with some help hidden in the shadows at the corner of the stage) delivered a relentless set that showcased their unique brand of heavy rock. The absence of a traditional guitarist was hardly noticeable as Kerr’s bass guitar, cleverly manipulated using a host of pedals and gizmos to emulate both bass and guitar tones simultaneously, filled the venue with a wall of sound.
The stage design was minimalistic, with the focus was undeniably on the music, and Royal Blood did not disappoint. With Back to the Water Below fresh out of the hopper, the setlist understandably included a handful of new tracks which seamlessly mixed with fan favorites from their earlier releases.
What was undeniable about Royal Blood’s performance was the sheer power they were able to unleash with just two musicians and a well-placed shadow. Kerr’s vocals were soulful yet gritty, and his bass work was nothing short of virtuosic. Thatcher’s drumming provided the driving force behind the band’s heavy sound, and his precision and intensity were a sight to behold.
While a ways from being sold out, the energy in the theater was palpable, with the crowd feeding off the duo’s infectious enthusiasm. There were no casual observers this night, strictly die hards willing and able to rock the night away to explosive renditions of “Out of the Black,” “Figure It Out,” and “Typhoons,” each of which were met with cheers and applause that echoed through the venue.
Talk about a masterclass in rock performance. HotWax set the stage on fire, and Royal Blood took the audience on a sonic journey that transcended the limitations of a two-piece band. There’s a good reason why Royal Blood commands some of the largest stages around the world.
HOTWAX
ROYAL BLOOD SETLIST
Hole
Come on Over
Boilermaker
Mountains at Midnight
Lights Out
Shiner in the Dark
Triggers
Trouble’s Coming
Typhoons
Pull Me Through
Little Monster
How Did We Get So Dark?
Tell Me When It’s Too Late
Loose Change
Out of the Black
Waves (with Tallulah Sim-Savage)
Ten Tonne Skeleton
Figure It Out
