After teasing us with a spectacular sold out show at London’s o2 Arena last summer, Tenacious D are back out on the road again this month, bringing their Spicy Meatball tour to a handful of venues around the UK! We caught up with the self proclaimed greatest band in the world in Birmingham. Where the dynamic duo kicked off the UK leg of their European tour on a muggy Tuesday night earlier this week…
The temperature might have been rising all day. However, that didn’t stop a huge sold out crowd from descending upon Resorts World Arena. Which was absolutely jam packed by the time we’d navigated our way to our seats. Its not just humidity in the air tonight either, the audience is absolutely buzzing with excitement by the time JB and Kyle finally take to the stage. Accompanied by a choiral backing track that’s as epic as it is comical.
Starting the night off with Kickapoo, The D are firing on all cylinders right from the off too. With JB karate kicking his way around the stage and working up such a sweat he has to summon a scruchy from the front row. Hair accessories secured, we’re treated to a little dose of Rize of the Fenix. Then, surprisingly early in their set, they drop a double bill of Wonderboy and Tribute that absolutely brings the house down. Prompting a ten minute long singalong where the crowd almost drown out the PA at times.
Not many bands could drop two of their biggest tracks so early on and maintain that kind of momentum for the rest of their set. Between their on stage antics and a collection of other old favourites like The Metal and Dude (I Totally Miss You) though, Tenacious D manage to keep things rolling along nicely. It doesn’t seem to matter if they’re arguing with “Biff” the bands new pyrotechnics intern, or battling heavy metal robots. Every joke lands perfectly and every song seems to hit just the right spot with the sellout crowd.
Part stand-up comedy set, part rock and roll masterclass. There’s some real artistry hidden behind the seemingly chaotic nature of their setlist. Much like a good stand-up routine, it some real skill to blend together all the routines, skits and running gags that make a Tenacious D show what it is. Especially with some of the in jokes having over two decades of backstory to them at this point. JB and Kyle manage it perfectly though. Even finding time to weave a few of their more recent viral moments into the setlist. Such as the Sax-A-Boom battle inspired by Jacks appearance on The Tonight Show and the duo’s cover of Wicked Game. Both of which go down an absolute storm.
They say that time flies when you’re having fun and that’s especially true here tonight as before we know it, they’re starting to wind things up with Beelzeboss and hilariously lengthy rendition of Double Team. During which every single band member, including the lighting tech, gets their own solo. Before the band retreat behind the curtain. There’s no way they’re getting out of here without an encore though. As the crowd immediately start stamping their feet and demanding The D return to the stage.
What an encore it is too, starting off with a little Led Zeppelin cover that leads into Master Exlpoder. Followed by the Spicy Meatball Song and then finally, we’re treated to the biggest sing-along of the night by far as Tenacious D bring their set to a close with F*** Her Gently. Taking a well deserved final bow and leaving everyone in the audience with a massive smile on their face.
For over two decades, part of Tenacious D‘s schtick has been that they’re the greatest band in the world. While it may have been a running joke, there are few that would disagree after tonights performance. Having grown from their beginnings as part of an experimental theatre group over twenty years ago. Into the arena filling behemoths they’ve now become. Their return to the UK here tonight is a triumphant one and more deserving of that moniker than you might think! 9/10
For more information on Tenacious D you can check out their official website or follow them on social media. A full listing of the dates on their Spicy Meatball Tour is available to check out below-
TENACIOUS D
TOUR DATES 2024
APRIL
29th – Stockholm, Hovet
30th – Oslo, Spektrum
MAY
1st – Copenhagen, Royal Arena
3rd – Luxembourg, Rockhal
5th – Dublin, 3Arena
7th – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
8th – Manchester, AO Arena
9th – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
11th – Leeds, First Direct Arena
12th – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
13th – Brighton, Brighton Centre
15th – Paris, Accor Arena
