What a great venue and what a great band, put the two together and you get the gig of the year so far.

Royal Blood played a warm-up for their main tour to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut album that launched them into the stratosphere.

The stage set up certainly looked as though it was intended for larger venues as it filled every inch of available space with lights that were to be put to good use as the evening progressed.

Mike Kerr and Ben Thatcher may be a duo but they famously turn the volume up to eleven and make you feel as though there should be twice as many people on the stage.

As they bounced onto the stage the crowd roared and we were off.

Launching straight into Out of The Black the we all knew we were in for a treat, so much so that Ben decided to join them as Mike supplied the noise.

Come On Over and an early appearance of my song of the night Figure It Out continued the relentless pace of the evening.

The set list had 19 songs but it felt as though it would all be over almost as soon as it began.

As promised the first ten of those songs were the debut album in chronological order and showed just how well that recording has stood the test of time.

The lights were immense, the sound was as loud as expected but well balanced and the venue provided the perfect setting for a big, big band to return to their roots and play a more intimate show than their popularity would normally allow.

Both Mike and Ben seemed to be having the time of their lives and so they should as they head off for two more smaller shows before they return to the more familiar arenas.

This was a proper rock gig that will stay in the hearts and minds of all those who attended for a good while to come.

Definitely one of the best live bands around who never fail to impress.

Let’s hope they return to Bournemouth soon and bring the energy, noise and great great songs with them.