Royal Blood played BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival over the weekend, and singer Mike Kerr was not pleased with the audience’s lack of energy.
In a clip from the festival that has surfaced via The Rock Revival, Kerr appears very annoyed with the crowd. He says between songs, “I guess I should introduce ourselves seeing as how no one actually knows who we are. We’re called Royal Blood, and this is rock music. Who likes rock music? Nine people, brilliant.”
He then introduces drummer Ben Thatcher and adds, “We’re having to clap for ourselves cause that was so pathetic. Well done, Ben.” Kerr then look as a camera operator on stage and says to them, “Will you clap for us? Will you clap? You busy? Yes, even he’s clapping. [Gesturing to the crowd] What does that say about you?”
As their set closes, Kerr lays his bass guitar string-side down on the stage. He then walks off stage with his back to the crowd with both of his middle fingers up.
Royal Blood making their feelings known about the crowd at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend yesterday
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) May 29, 2023
Reactions to Kerr’s words have been mixed online. It bears mentioning that some thoughts on Royal Blood’s placement during the festival may have led to the crowd’s lack of reaction. Apparently, the rock duo was slotted on the lineup between two pop singers: Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi. Of course, there were plenty of other rock acts on the bill of the main stage including Thirty Seconds to Mars, Nothing But Thieves and Wet Leg.
Fortunately, Royal Blood returns to North America this fall on a headlining tour, which will likely be before enthusiastic fans that they won’t want to flip off. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 2 at 10 AM local time. Full ticket details can be found at RoyalBloodBand.com. Dates for the tour are listed below.
Royal Blood – 2023 North American Tour Dates
9/16 – Asbury Park, N.J. @ Sea. Hear. Now Festival (on sale now)
9/18 – Detroit, Mich. @ The Fillmore Detroit
9/19 – Cleveland, Ohio @ Agora Theatre
9/21 – Louisville, Ky. @ Louder Than Life Festival (on sale now)
9/22 – Saint Louis, Mo. @ The Pageant
9/23 – Chicago, Ill. @ Riviera Theatre
9/25 – Toronto, Ontario @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
9/26 – Montreal, Quebec @ MTELUS
9/27 – Boston, Mass. @ Roadrunner
9/29 – New Haven, Ct. @ College St. Music Hall
9/30 – Philadelphia, Pa. @ The Fillmore
10/02 – Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Brooklyn Steel
10/03 – New York, N.Y. @ Webster Hall
11/09 – Los Angeles, Calif. @ The Wiltern
11/10 – Oakland, Calif. @ Fox Theater
11/11 – Santa Cruz, Calif. @ The Catalyst
11/13 – Seattle, Wash. @ Paramount Theatre
11/14 – Vancouver, British Columbia @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
11/15 – Portland, Ore. @ Crystal Ballroom
11/17 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Union Event Center
11/18 – Englewood, Colo. @ Gothic Theatre
11/20 – Tulsa, Okla. @ Cain’s Ballroom
11/21 – Dallas, Texas @ South Side Ballroom
11/22 – Austin, Texas @ ACL Live at The Moody Theatre
11/25 – Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sunshine Theater
11/26 – Phoenix, Ariz. @ The Van Buren
11/27 – San Diego, Calif. @ The Sound
