Text by Pedro Tiepolo
The British band Royal Blood is known for its unconventional lineup, which, with only two members, manages to create a complete and energetic sound. On a packed Saturday night at Audio, the São Paulo audience eagerly awaited the chance to see Mike Kerr on bass and Ben Thatcher on drums.
The British duo had already been to Brazil twice: in 2015 for Rock in Rio and in 2018 for Lollapalooza. But this was the first time they ventured on a solo tour, promising fans a more complete experience than their festival appearances.
The show began with “Boilermaker,” a track from the album Typhoons (2017) produced by Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age . Without letting the energy drop, they immediately followed with the striking “Out of the Black,” driving the audience wild. This song foreshadowed something that would be repeated throughout much of the show: the entire audience sang along with Mike Kerr's riffs, demonstrating the power of the duo's songs and the excitement of the São Paulo crowd.
The duo occasionally welcomed an additional musician who played keyboards and percussion. But that was just an extra: the main attraction is the dynamic between the two members, who manage to maintain an impressive energy on their own.
The show's setlist spanned all four of the band's albums, including their latest, Back to the Water Below . But the focus was on the band's debut album, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024. The duo played this album almost in its entirety, including 8 of the 10 tracks in the setlist; including "You Can Be So Cruel," which hadn't been performed live by the band since 2019.
With a show lasting over 90 minutes, the band also included other unexpected choices in the setlist. In addition to the bonus track from their latest album, "Supermodel Avalanche ," they played the obscure "One Trick Pony," a b-side from their first album that isn't even available on streaming platforms.
In the lesser-known tracks, it was clear that the audience wasn't as familiar with the material; but the band managed to hold everyone's attention with their flawless performance. And the crowd returned that energy twofold when it came time for a hit like "Figure it Out," which closed the show with everyone singing and jumping.
It was certainly the band's best show in the country to date – and the fans left Audio satisfied with a setlist full of great choices.
The South American tour concludes in Rio de Janeiro this Tuesday, the 16th.
Our contributor Marcela Lorenzetti was also at the show and captured the evening. Check out our photo gallery below.
