Rudimental ‘Toast To Our Differences’ tour took no time to warm up (at Adelaide Entertainment Centre 2 June) as it immediately had my heart thumping along with the bass.
The East London luminaries bounced on stage with an overwhelming air of confidence and assurance for the second performance of their national tour promoting their January 2019 album, ‘Toast To Our Differences’.
They launched into a shortened version of ‘New Day’ as the intro, which seamlessly slid into one of their earliest hits, 2013's ‘Right Here’ much to the delight of the packed theatre; and showing they were not going to overlook some of their earliest and most famous hits.
From there they jumped from one song to the next, with ‘Not Giving In’, ‘Sun Comes Up’ and ‘I Will For Love’ all helping the energy levels in the room hit colossal levels.
One heartbeat resounded throughout the arena and every arm pounded the air in unison as the heavy beat heaved towards the roof. Even now thinking back to it, a smile is spreading across my face and my heart rate is quickening – it’s music that gets you thinking and wanting to fight for a better life, full of love, freedom and equality.
What they lacked in conversation with the crowd they made up with energy and originality. Each member of the eclectic eight-piece band had their own unique style. Yet they so effortlessly came together on stage in a show of love and support for one another.
The song that gave its name to the new album, ‘Toast To Our Differences’ was incredibly well received and probably one of the more relaxed songs of the night; a very cruisy summer vibe that made me long for the days of cocktails on the beach.
Their massively successful covers were not missed: ‘Bloodstream’ by Ed Sheeran and ‘Human’, originally by Rag’n’Bone Man, were hugely exciting.
‘They Don't Care About Us’, from their new album, was introduced excitedly as Piers Aggett’s personal favourite, immediately getting the crowd pumped. ‘Free’ and ‘Feel The Love’ were awesome, but it was ‘Rumour Mill’ which really caught my attention. Such a well-known song, but there is always something exciting about hearing a song in a new light when performed live; and for me last night it was this track.
The noise made by the crowd prior to the encore was dubbed by Aggett as by far the loudest so far on their Australian tour, so of course they no choice but to re-enter the stage and give us two more for the road. ‘These Days’ and ‘Waiting All Night’ had to be kept for last.
An awesome night of dancing and screaming with friends; what a way to warm up on a cold winter’s night.
