Swansea Arena may have only just opened - but it is already in need of repairs. Royal Blood well and truly blew the roof off the brand new venue on Saturday, March 19 as it became the first official music act to ever play there.
Rock duo Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher arrived in SA1 slightly later than planned, having to push back their initial date - which would seen them become the first official act on the new arena stage - back from March 8 due to coronavirus and international measures still in place. But it was well worth the extra couple of weeks for audiences to wait, as the chart toppers gave a performance that well and truly tested the arena's sound system.
Pints of beer flew through the air as soon as the crowd, packed in like sardines, were asked by Kerr: “How are you Swansea, how ya doing?” who then got them going with Typhoons.
Kerr told the crowd: “I know this place is brand spanking new but we need to wear it in a bit, make it a bit dirty.”
Kerr added: “We really appreciate you coming to see us. Even this morning we weren’t 100% we were going to be out here.”
Fletcher told the crowd: “I’m glad you have somewhere you can play real rock music playing live. It’s all about being happy and being safe. I’m about to finish my drum solo”… as he returned to the drums and had a swig from an alcohol bottle.
Kerr’s assessment proved spot on. Already warmed up by support act The Amazons, who got the the party started with hits like Stay With Me and Black Magic, the Royal Blood treated fans with what they wanted by playing their well-known hits like I Only Lie When I Love You, Come On Over, Little Monster, Ten Tonne Skeleton, Troubles Coming and Lights Out. A mosh pit even got going for Hook Line & Sinker.
But we were also treated to some of their new material like Honeybrains, which seemed to go down well with the crowd as they clapped along in unison. The loudest ovation — and biggest mosh pit - came with Figure It Out.
Royal Blood head off to Paris in two days time and if tonight is any barometer, the capital of France have one hell of a gig on their hands. To get the latest What's On newsletter from WalesOnline, click here
