Royal Blood singer Mike Kerr stormed off the stage at Radio 1’s Big Weekend on Saturday after bemoaning festival goers' apparent lack of excitement.
The alt-rockers Wet Leg, Nothing But Thieves and Inhaler, as well as pop star Lewis Capaldi, were scheduled to perform at Camperdown Country Park on the same schedule as Royal Blood, but a compilation of videos posted to Twitter (below) showed that the band's seven-song set failed to impress the estimated 85,000-strong audience.
In the opening of the video, Kerr addresses the audience: “I guess I should introduce ourselves, as no one knows who we are. We're called Royal Blood, and this is rock music. Who likes rock music?”
Upon hearing a faint response, he said, “Nine people. Brilliant."
Later, he addressed a cameraman and said: “We're having to clap ourselves because that was so pathetic,” before adding “Will you clap for us? Will you clap? You’re busy. Can you clap? Yes, even he’s clapping. What does that say about you?"
At the conclusion of the performance, Kerr slams his guitar on the floor and walks away while raising his middle fingers to the crowd.
Royal Blood making their feelings known about the crowd at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend yesterday 😂
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) May 29, 2023
pic.twitter.com/Meh6GZnByJ
“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 wrote on Twitter.
Man, some gigs are tough and you have to win over the crowd, but this is exactly how to NOT react.
— Lottery Winners (@LotteryWinners) May 30, 2023
Very disappointed with Royal Blood here.
No matter what level you get to, you’re never better than the audience.
pic.twitter.com/vXCYGkytAe
While another wrote: “Rock and metal fan here. Can help thinking 1) why did they agree to play? 2) Could have used it as an opportunity to enjoy and gain some more fans, not alienate people. Dave Grohl wouldn’t have done this. Clown move”.
Rock and metal fan here. Can help thinking 1) why did they agree to play? 2) Could have used it as an opportunity to enjoy and gain some more fans, not alienate people. Dave Grohl wouldn't have done this. Clown move 🤡
— martymac (@martythemac) May 29, 2023
“Rock musicians who act like they’re more important, cooler, and better than musicians who work in other genres are so cringe.”
Rock musicians who act like they're more important, cooler, and better than musicians who work in other genres are so cringe.
— Ciara is an author 🦭 🏴 (@SerialCiara) May 29, 2023
Some fans have noted that Royal Blood were sandwiched between Capaldi, whose sophomore album Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent is currently No 1 in the UK, and pop artist Niall Horan on a difficult schedule.
“Festival organisers put them on between Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi, who’s idea was that?”
Festival organisers put them on between Niall Horan and Lewis Capaldi, who’s idea was that?😅
— Askern Music Fest (@AskernMF) May 29, 2023
“I feel sorry for them, they clearly don’t belong with that crowd, but at the same time, you don’t have a strop at the audience and tell them off. Have a go at your manager”.
I feel sorry for them, they clearly don't belong with that crowd, but at the same time, you don't have a strop at the audience and tell them off.
— Ross Taylor @themightyug@tech.lgbt (@themightyug) May 29, 2023
Have a go at your manager
“The organisers want shooting. Radio 1 is wall-to-wall lightweight, generic chart-music. Sticking something as ‘different’ as Royal Blood in the middle of that is crazy. The audience doesn’t want different.”
The organisers want shooting. Radio 1 is wall-to-wall lightweight, generic chart-music. Sticking something as ‘different’ as Royal Blood in the middle of that is crazy. The audience doesn’t want different.
— Light years from home #FBPE (@lightyearsfrom) May 30, 2023
RB could have handled it better. Better still, not taken the booking.
Back to the Water Below, the band's upcoming album, is set to be released on September 8. Typhoons, their previous album, came out in 2021.
They are scheduled to perform at Glastonbury, which runs from June 21 to June 25 this year.
