Brighton duo Royal Blood, consisting of drummer Ben Thatcher and bassist/vocalist Mike Kerr, are known for their blues-rock dynamism influenced by bands like the White Stripes, the Black Keys, and Two Gallants. Their music features scuzzy riffs and high energy, evident in their critically acclaimed albums including 2014’s Mercury Prize-nominated debut ‘Royal Blood,’ 2017’s ‘How Did We Get So Dark?,’ 2021’s ‘Typhoons,’ and 2023’s ‘Back to the Water Below.’ Formed in 2013, the duo quickly made a mark with their intense performances driven by pounding drums and distorted bass guitar, complemented by Kerr’s emotive vocals.
Royal Blood gained early recognition when they were featured on the BBC’s Sound of 2014 list and received support from Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders. Their debut album topped the charts in the U.K. and Ireland, leading to successful tours with Iggy Pop and Foo Fighters. The band won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 2015, presented by Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Subsequent albums like ‘How Did We Get So Dark?’ and ‘Typhoons’ further solidified their position in the rock scene, with hit singles like ‘Hook, Line & Sinker’ and ‘I Only Lie When I Love You.’ Their latest album, ‘Back to the Water Below,’ released in 2023, showcases their musical evolution and includes standout tracks like ‘Mountains at Midnight,’ all recorded at their Brighton home studio.