Royal Blood Tease 'Brutally Relentless' Surprise Set at Reading Festival

Royal Blood is ready to turn up the volume at Reading Festival with an unexpected secret performance. The Brighton-bred rock duo, comprised of vocalist-bassist Mike Kerr and drummer Ben Thatcher, has been locked in for an early afternoon slot on The Gallery stage this Friday. The surprise appearance lands on the heels of the group kicking off their next chapter. Having recently dropped their comeback single "Ten Over Ten" alongside news of their fifth studio album, *Dead Company*, the musicians are charging back into the festival circuit after taking a two-year breather from touring. ## When is Royal Blood playing Reading Festival? Kerr teased that fans catching the 2 p.m. slot should prepare for high-octane energy from start to finish. Because the festival timetable only allows for a tight 45-minute set, the frontman explained that the band plans to cut straight to the heaviest tracks in their catalog without holding anything back. Describing the upcoming performance as downright intense, Kerr noted that the brevity of the slot lets them curate a setlist built entirely around brute force. Thatcher added a tongue-in-cheek twist of his own, joking that a sudden downpour would be more than welcome if it helps cram even more festivalgoers inside the stage tent. ## What is Royal Blood's new album Dead Company? The festival gig forms part of a massive weekend lineup featuring fellow heavy hitters like Charli XCX, Fontaines D.C., and Geese. For Kerr and Thatcher, stepping back in front of screaming festival crowds feels like a long-overdue reset. Reflecting on their extended break, Kerr shared that taking time off from the grueling road schedule allowed the duo to rediscover their love for playing live. Now refreshed and equipped with brand-new material, Royal Blood is set to deliver one of the most talked-about pop-up moments of the entire festival.