Review: Rudimental send crowd into frenzy at O2 Apollo in Manchester

Rudimental are an English drum and bass band who first rose to the scenes in 2012 after patiently releasing singles for a year in 2011. The band consists of Piers Aggett, Amir Amor, Kesi Dryden and DJ Locksmith. The Brit Award winning group exploded into the scene when their single featuring John Newman ‘Feel The Love’ reached number 1 in the Official UK singles chart.   

Rudimental have embarked on their UK and international tour as of October 2018.  They have stuck to their London roots by producing grime, gospel and garage music. They don’t just produce one genre of music showing how innovative they are. 

Tickets are still available online for the rest of their UK tour and then they will be setting off internationally to put on spectacular shows for their international fans.  Their third album Toast To Our Differences is hotly anticipated this year however is set to be released in January 2019 as they want it to be perfect for their fans.

 Rudimental needed a bigger stage in the O2 Apollo as main man DJ Locksmith bounced up and down the stage sending the crowd in a frenzy. Their seventh show of this long world tour was a massive hit with the fans as Manchester enjoyed an upbeat night. 

It was a spectacular performance as no song failed to please the crowd. They opened with Right Here, featuring Foxes, a song from their debut album. The steel drums were just incredible and it really loosened the Manchester crowd up. 

I For Love was the highlight of the night as the live rendition was better than the recorded version! Will Heard’s husky voice was breath taking. They also performed Ed Sheeran’s Bloodstream, which they co- wrote and also collaborated with him on the recording. DJ Locksmith even screamed at the crowd “I want a festival indoors!” and his wish was positively granted. 

Sun Comes Up got everyone off their feet as the catchy chorus was sung around the whole arena and new track Walk Alone from their upcoming album also proved a hit. 

Ella Henderson, the singer and former X factor contestant in 2012 also joined them on stage as she is touring with them in the UK. Her vocals were rich and flawless. She gave her vocals for Feel The Love and These Days. I have a feeling we’re going to hear a lot more of this girl on our radios. 

Rudimental’s third album, Toast To Our Differences is to be released on 25 January next year and it is worth the wait as they are an innovative band that continue to break boundaries with their use of different genres. I know what I’m spending my Christmas money on!