Released in 2014, the self-titled debut album from Royal Blood changed everything for lifelong friends Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher. The duo had played in bands together for years, but armed with a record of instant classics, Royal Blood suddenly achieved a level of success that few debut UK rock bands have come close to achieving. The album fired straight to #1 and went on to be certified double-Platinum, earning the duo the BRIT Award for Best British Group as well as further awards from NME and Kerrang! It also started a run which has seen all four of their studio albums go straight to #1 in the UK – most recently with last year’s ‘Back To The Water Below’.
Now Royal Blood go back to their roots and celebrate where their story began with the release of ‘Royal Blood – 10th Anniversary Edition’ on August 16th. They also announce a run of special 10th anniversary shows, starting with two London gigs at the O2 Academy Brixton performing and celebrating their first album.
Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher commented, “We can’t quite comprehend the fact that a decade has passed since the release of our debut album! The world, minds, and bodies we inhabit now feel somewhat unrecognisable to where it all began, yet the music on that record has remained a constant. It really did change our lives and we owe it everything.
Playing these anniversary shows is going to be the ultimate victory lap and feels like the most meaningful way to celebrate the occasion with our incredible fans who have been so loyal to us over the years. We’re thrilled to let you know that a very special 10th Anniversary Edition, including live versions, B-sides and unheard material is due to be released too!”
Ten years on and the electrifying energy of Royal Blood’s debut album remains as impactful as ever. Full of colossal riffs and battering ram rhythms matched by a flair for instantly memorable songwriting, the all-or-nothing performances of ‘Figure It Out’, ‘Come On Over’, ‘Out Of The Black’, ‘Little Monster’ and ‘Ten Tonne Skeleton’ are still viscerally frenetic, and all those tracks remain staples of their live show to this day.
The ‘10th Anniversary Edition’ is completed with a wealth of bonus material. The package includes four b-sides from the era, including the deep cut fan favourites ‘One Trick Pony’ and ‘Hole’, plus the previously unreleased ‘Sleeptalker’ and Tom Dalgety’s original mix of ‘Ten Tonne Skeleton’. It is completed by five live recordings from 2015, including three songs from their first main stage set at the Reading Festival.
‘Royal Blood – 10th Anniversary Edition’ is now available to pre-order HERE. Formats include a gold double-vinyl which features the late Dan Hillier’s iconic ‘Pachamama’ artwork complete with a mirror-board finish and a gold background, it will also be released on CD and digital. The band’s official store offers a boxed numbered limited-edition version of the double gold vinyl with an exclusive t-shirt and art print.
Fans who pre-order the album from the band’s official store by 2pm on Monday, March 25th will receive access to a pre-sale for tickets for the 02 Academy Brixton shows. The pre-sale will then open at 9am on Tuesday, March 26th before any remaining tickets go on general sale at 9am on Thursday, March 28th.
Royal Blood’s 10th anniversary shows are listed below. They add to a hectic schedule of touring planned for 2024, which includes dates in Europe, North America and South America mixing headline shows, gigs as special guests to Queens of the Stone Age, and festival sets at Download, Shaky Knees, Benicàssim and many more. Please see HERE for a full list of all international shows. 2023 saw them play a landmark homecoming show at Brighton Beach, which saw The Times’ review conclude: “As Thatcher stood on his drum kit and Kerr basked in the adulation midway through Loose Change, these were reborn, and grateful, homecoming heroes.”
JUNE
18th – London, O2 Academy Brixton
19th – London, O2 Academy Brixton
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