Page 43 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 103

BV103 pg43_BV103 pg43 23/12/2019 11:19 Page 1

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ROYAL REPUBLIC / BLACKOUT PROBLEMS – BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY 2, 27.10.19
Originally scheduled for the start of 2019, Royal Republic’s UK and is fun and frivolous. Jonas bears a keytar for ‘Stop Movin’’ and preceding
European tour was postponed until October/November due to recording that he plays a few bars of Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ and Europe’s ‘The Final
commitments. It’s been quite a wait, but the wait was most definitely worth Countdown’ to much delight.
it. “Ever since the moment I was born I have been in love with my own
Blackout Problems from Munich are on stage first, and prove to be an voice,” jokes Adam. He also makes a joke about Brexit for breakfast. “A
imposing outfit. With an experimental tone with electronic layers and a lot of people think we’re just about comedy, cracking jokes, writing dirty
strikingly intense feel, they impress the crowd. That is until the final song, lyrics, especially the next one,” adding that ‘Anna-Leigh’ is a “deep-ass
when they say it’s dedicated to a special 16-year-old from Sweden who is song”. Groan! The band’s show is very light-hearted, yet they take the
changing the world. We hear a slight boo in the audience – although luck- music they make seriously and have got their songwriting, musicianship
ily, overall, the reception is still positive. With lyrics such as ‘the best politi- and stage show perfected to a T. Entertainment is the name of Royal Re-
cian is a dead one’ and ‘Love for everybody’ it shows the band are socially public’s game and their set ends with a three-song encore that concludes
conscious and will speak up for the things they believe in. with their hook-filled hit ‘Baby’. As Adam wrings the wet sweat out of his
When Royal Republic come on to the stage we feel positively under- tie, he says, “Thanks for letting us have the best job in the world – to give
dressed – they’re all in shiny, sparkly gold suits with ties. And their music you a break when you need one.” It’s the perfect ending to the perfect
matches this sparkle. From the opening bars of ‘Fireman & Dancer’, Adam show.
Grahn, Hannes Irengård, Jonas Almén and Per Andreasson brighten up YYYYY
Birmingham. They’ve got a dazzling lighting rig, which we’re told they Shari Black Velvet
couldn’t fit all in, so we’ve only got part of it due to the low ceiling, though
their personalities and musicianship outshine that. ‘You rock harder, we
shine brighter,’ Adam sings in ‘Can’t Fight The Disco’ and that is their
ethos. Their disco vibes are addictive – although interestingly, they don’t
play their ‘Addictive’ single tonight – but every other song they have is ad-
dictive anyway. ‘Underwear’ is quirky, while ‘Full Steam Spacemachine’

Adam Grahn (Royal Republic) Photo By Shari Black Velvet

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