The Canadian quartet makes a welcome return to the North East for their first show in the city since 2011.
Kicking off the night was Swedish garage rockers, Royal Republic, who are celebrating the release of their third album, Weekend Man. The band has spent the last 18 months writing and recording the album, and it’s great to see them back out on the road. With only a 30-minute set, they take to the stage with all guns blazing, delivering an explosive performance full of dynamite material with hits like “Baby” and “Tommy-Gun.”
Royal Republic looks sharp in their dapper suits as they play their fuzz-fueled songs, full of catchy hooks and great harmonies. The band treats the audience to a couple of tracks from their latest offering in the shape of “Walk!” and “Kung-Fu Lovin’.” The band is energetic throughout, although bass player Jonas Almén is a little more subdued due to his recent knee surgery following a skiing accident.
Singer Adam Grahn hops off the stage onto the security fence to get up close and personal with the fans as he continues to play through “Make Love Not War.” Royal Republic most certainly gets the crowd moving; they close their set with the euphoric “Full Steam Space Machine” from their debut album,
The light-hearted intro, “Blame Canada,” from South Park The Movie, plays as the band members take their places onstage. The intro ends and Theory of a Deadman launch into a triple whammy of “Lowlife,” “So Happy,” and “Bitch Came Back.” The band’s setlist covers much of their greatest hits and features tracks from all five of studio albums.
The setlist includes several tracks from Savages with the likes of their tongue in cheek poke at pop culture, “Blow”; the grungy “Drown”; and the ferocious “Panic Room.”
Mid-tempo numbers like the beautiful “All or Nothing,” “Not Meant To Be,” and “Santa Monica” highlight Connolly’s phenomenal songwriting ability.
Drummer Joey Dandeneau gets his moment to shine with a hard rocking drum solo. Connolly is aware of the sporting rivalry between Newcastle and neighbouring city Sunderland and conveys that the song, “Hate My Life,” is about the day when your favourite sporting team loses.
The band launches into a medley of “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Paradise City” before bringing the show to a close with the epic, “Bad Girlfriend.”
We look forward to more of what is to come from Theory of a Deadman as they head into the studio to record their new album. Let’s hope it doesn’t take so long for their return to the North East of England next time.
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