Royal Blood Is Going Virtual

Similar to the Gorillaz (an all virtual band created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett), Royal blood plan to perform a virtual concert as avatars during the 2021 Bloxy Awards.

Roblox (an online platform for multiplayer experiences) organized the ceremony, having Royal Blood perform three songs for the viewing audience and during the forthcoming Bloxy Awards. The Bloxy Awards is a celebration for the Roblox community, which takes place this Saturday (March 27). Each event will highlight various category winners, and members will observe an exclusive virtual performance from Royal Blood.

Their image reminds me of Gorillaz’s earlier phases (as of now, their quality is much higher). While it’s incredible to see nothing stand in the way of Royal Blood and performing, it has me wondering if this is the new normal: watching bands perform in cartoon form from your couch. It sounds pretty shitty and quite frankly scary. Watching a band live and in person is the difference between listening to a song on Spotify and putting the needle over a record with that sort of hissy sound.

Phil Christie, President, Warner Records U.K: “Royal Blood has always been a forward-thinking band and so it is fitting that they play inside Roblox this year and introduce a whole new audience to their incredible sound.”

While I think it’s a great use of a horrible situation I don’t think their idea is a thousand percent original. Gorillaz have perfected and completely claimed the one-in-a-million title of a “virtual band.”

Those interested can watch the show this Saturday (March 27) on the Roblox platform. The Bloxy Awards will also be replayed every hour between March 27 and April 6 and a full version of the show will be uploaded to YouTube 10 days after the first show airs.

‘Typhoons’, Royal Blood’s new album, will be released on April 30th by Warner Records.