Royal Blood didn’t even attempt to conceal their thoughts at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, swearing at the audience and storming off stage.
Mike Kerr, frontman of the rock duo, said the young crowd were ‘pathetic’ before walking off with his middle fingers raised.
The pair – who just announced a gig in Manchester for October – were visibly annoyed to not be welcomed with adoring crowds at the free festival, which this year took place in Dundee.
Speaking to the packed crowd, Kerr said: “Well I guess we should introduce ourselves seeing as no one actually knows who we are.
“We’re called Royal Blood and this is rock music. Who likes rock music? Nine people, brilliant.”
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He then continued to lash out at the audience, saying: “We’re having to clap ourselves because that was so pathetic. Well done Ben.”
Turning to the cameraman on stage, he said: “Will you clap for us? You’re busy. Can you clap? Yes, even he’s clapping. What does that say about you?”
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Drummer Ben Thatcher, meanwhile, swigged from a bottle of Patron tequila before miming to audience members to smile.
Royal Blood making their feelings known about the crowd at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend yesterday 😂
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) May 29, 2023
Naturally, social media has erupted with discussion around the band’s behaviour, and whether it was justified.
Many blamed the event organisers, who jammed Royal Blood in the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend line-up between pop acts Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan.
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In fact, there was a stunning moment in the live stream where the camera panned to a bored-looking audience member with ‘NIALL’ written across her face.
Hundreds of people have said that Royal Blood should have respected their audience and worked harder to win them over.
Royal Blood swearing at their audience at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend. Credit: BBCA thoroughly unbothered Ben Thatcher of Royal Blood at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend. Credit: BBCRoyal Blood swearing at their audience at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend. Credit: BBC
Wigan band The Lottery Winners waded in, writing: “Man, some gigs are tough and you have to win over the crowd, but this is exactly how to NOT react. Very disappointed with Royal Blood here. No matter what level you get to, you’re never better than the audience.”
One person wrote: “Speaking as a Royal Blood fan, I’m all for back and forth with the audience but ideally not: 1) to an audience of teenagers. 2) when you come across like a sassy walk-on from Made In Chelsea. Respect your audience, always.”
Another said: “Royal Blood are brilliant live, but respect the audience. This is a festival not a Royal Blood gig & you’re playing before arguably the biggest British artist right now in Lewis Capaldi, 70%+ aren’t here for you. Should be trying to make new fans at festivals like this.”
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Someone else wrote: “I’d be so f*cking pissed if a band called ROYAL BLOOD hopped up on stage to play rock and roll, patronised me in a Waitrose accent and then had a literal tantrum because I wasn’t making enough noise. I’d actually lose the plot.”
Of course, the jokes and memes also flooded in.
Your man from Royal Blood, ruining every house party he's ever been to by taking charge of the Spotify playlist to "get some proper music on". https://t.co/OAIFsUnkFJ
Someone else made this comparison: “Eight-year-old me storming out of the living room because my family were talking through my performance of spice girls’ wannabe #royalblood.”
One tweet said: “Ahhh, what a lovely relaxing Bank Holiday, now to log on for my first day as the PR Manager for very cool and popular band Royal Blood.”
Tickets for Royal Blood’s gig at the O2 Apollo Manchester go on sale on Friday 2 June at 9am – you can get yours through See Tickets here.
Featured image: BBC
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Little Simz announces biggest-ever Manchester gig ahead of new album
Danny Jones
The queen of British rap, the one and only Little Simz, is coming back to Manchester for what will be her biggest headline show in this city to date.
A whole three years on from her last album No Thank You, the rapper from Islington is heading back out on the road after wrapping up the recording of her sixth studio LP, Lotus.
The first single ‘FREE’ has already dropped, and despite the release date itself being pushed back, news of a new Little Simz tour later this year more than makes up for it, if you ask us.
Little Simz already has two NME Awards to her name for Best British Solo Act and Best British Album, not to mention a BRIT itself for Best New Artist in 2022; oh yeah, and she won the Mercury Prize as well as a BET Hip Hop Award over in the States for ‘Best International Flow’ – all before she turned 30.
With that in mind, you can understand why so many are frothing at the mouth to hear her new record when it does finally drop.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the album itself: Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, to use her full name, is simply busier than ever and has just booked a role in a film because, yes, she acts too.
Lotus will now drop on Friday, 6 June, just in time for fans to get learning the lyrics ahead of festival season, which we have no doubt she’ll play a big part in.
You can hear the first taste of the next chapter down below:
Little Simz returns to Manchester for a Co-op Live debut on 16 October with tour supports still yet to be announced.
Pre-sale goes live on Wednesday, 9 April from 10am for official Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.