It is impossible not to have a good time at a Royal Republic show, the affable Swedes bringing their unique ’80s disco-tinged rock ‘n’ roll party to the subterranean venue and lighting it up like a Christmas tree. Tonight, Royal Republic brought The LoveCop Tour as well as Dea Matrona.
Royal Republic – Dea Matrona
Electric Ballroom, Camden – 31 October 2024
Photography: Antonio Giannattasio
Words: Paul Monkhouse
The Electric Ballroom is packed, and it being Halloween, you can find yourself standing next to a witch, Batman, Where’s Wally or a cowboy, and no matter the dress, it seems that everyone here tonight has come to dance and sing.
It’s no wonder though. The perfectly crafted LoveCop album is the latest in the catalogue of high-quality releases by the quartet and cements their reputation as one of their home country’s finest musical exports since ABBA.
Matching the high energy of their material, the band themselves are a ball of energy and light onstage, their commitment to both the music and their fans not just admirable but breathtaking. Absolutely nothing is held back, and you have to admire the commitment of drummer Per Andreasson, in particular, his adhering to the uniform leather jacket whilst pummelling his kit for ninety minutes, akin to playing in a sauna.
His brothers-in-arms are no slouches either, and singer/guitarist Adam Grahn, guitarist Hannes Irengård and bass player Jonas Almén sweat as they throw themselves around the stage.
The driving My House is a blistering opener, full of glitterball glam and strident riffing, its ridiculously addictive singalong chorus starting the set with a bang as a wave of euphoria rides across and through the unusually garbed audience.
LoveCop shows off Grahn’s eye-boggling neon-lit six-string, and alongside the similarly neon drums of Andreasson and Almén’s keytar, it is certain that Royal Republic know how to bring a wild abandon to their technicolour blast of a show.
The helter-skelter riffing of Boots and hard funk of Stop Movin’, the latter complete with a synchronised shuffle that ZZ Top would have been proud of, are a blast, and when anthem Full Steam Spacemachine causes the temperature to soar even higher, the crowd’s singing is as enthusiastic as the grooving.
It’s not all manic, though, as an acoustic section featuring four mics, a guitar and a kazoo, surely the world’s most underused instrument, brings different spins on much-loved numbers.
But the space pop rock of Electra and Grahn joining the audience for Ain’t Got Time are moves by master manipulators who know how to wow the most partisan of audiences.
Tonight, though, there was no resistance, and it feels like the band should be filling arenas within a very short space oftime, the response to Tommy Gun enough to be heard all over Camden. With the gorgeous Summer smash Lazerlove and a feral tear through Metallica’s Battery, it was just down to the joyous Rata-Tata to close the night in suitably triumphant style.
One of the best bands on the planet right now, Royal Republic make the world a much better place.
Dea Matrona
Kicking off the evening, Dea Matrona have certainly been growing fast in recent years, the change huge from when this writer first saw them headline a show at Belfast’s Limelight Club some two short years ago.
Stints on tour with Chris Shiflett and Kris Barras, since have seen Orláith Forsythe and Mollie McGinn gain a rapidly growing audience in the UK, their eminently likeable personalities and way with a tune winning hearts and minds with ease.
Now expanded to a four-piece with the addition of a second guitar alongside their power trio set-up, the sound is fuller and beefier than ever, able to fully do justice to their ever-evolving style.
Having launched debut album For Your Sins earlier this year, there is a more focused flow to their set, and whilst the rumbunctious nature of previous tours were a joy to experience, this is the next chapter of their story and one that expands their audience and adds another layer of sheen.
Harking back to their nascent days earning their stripes busking on the streets of Belfast, a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s bluesbuster Oh Well has the right gritty edge as big riffs and the naturally sweet vocals blend magically, but it is their ownmaterial that shines the brightest.
The seductive strut of Stamp On It, the slow burning Get My Mind Off and the chunky blues of Black Rain see them sizzle, the sound smoother but still as electric. Old favourites So Damn Dangerous and Glory, Glory (I Am Free) still sound fresh and vital, both destined to become classics as Dea Matrona slowly but surely continue their rise as they head towards world domination.
Phenomenal. Two incendiary bands, one joyous Halloween night that most definitely raised the spirits.
