Gig Review: Royal Republic Live Review Nottingham

17 February 2026 Neil Cripps

Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham: Power-Disco Perfection at Rock City

Royal Republic returned to the hallowed ground of Rock City last night, proving once again that when it comes to “Power-Disco” rock, they are in a league of their own. Having previously hailed their Nottingham stop as a contender for “Gig of the Year,” the Swedish quartet managed to turn the dial even further into the red for this Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham.

A Night of High-Octane “Power-Disco”

The venue was packed to bursting, a testament to the band’s growing “Royal” following and the electric anticipation that always follows them to Nottingham. Squashed against the barrier were the hardcore fans who had gone “full Royal Republic,” decked out in Death Metal makeup in a nod to the band’s recent music video. Elsewhere, the crowd was dotted with fake moustaches, leaning into the 80s disco vibe that defines this current era.

The energy was surging from the moment the band stepped out. Clad in their signature sleek attire, they launched straight into the pulsating rhythm of “My House” and the tour’s title track, “LoveCop”. Frontman Adam Grahn remains a force of nature, blending raspy commands with a charismatic stage presence that keeps the crowd hanging on every word—a staple of any Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham.

Setlist Highlights: From Cowbells to Covers

The setlist curated journey through their discography, peppered with the kind of unexpected moments that make a Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham so unique.

The Fan Interaction: During “Ain’t Got Time,” Grahn lived up to his reputation for crowd immersion, venturing into the pit to find a “volunteer” for cowbell duties.

The Quick Wit: While out in the thick of it, Adam couldn’t resist a bit of banter, joking to the front row: “You look so good from a distance, I came out here and I see things in a different light!”

The “Sexual Weapon” & The Near-Miss: In a brilliant change of pace, the band moved to the front for an acoustic rendition of “Boomerang”. Grahn, wielding his acoustic guitar—which he jokingly referred to as a “sexual weapon”—teased the crowd by starting to play “Wonderwall.” Thankfully, the instantaneous boos from the Nottingham crowd put a swift stop to that nonsense; there was no need for any “beginner guitarist” antics tonight.

The Crowd Favourite: A massive highlight of this Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham was “Full Steam Spacemachine,” which saw the entire building singing the chorus in a thunderous moment of unity.

The Cover Medley: The night took a disco-rock turn with faithful yet heavy covers of the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” and Shocking Blue’s “Venus”.

Metal Cameo: Just when things felt peak disco, they pivoted into a brief, heavy snippet of Metallica’s “Battery”during the encore.

Visual and Sonic Brilliance

The production values have only grown with the band’s ambition. An LED lightning bolt flashed behind the band, complementing a light show filled with 80s-inspired neon. The technical precision was flawless; Per Andreasson’spunchy drumming and Jonas Almén’s groove-driven bass provided the perfect foundation for Hannes Irengård’s gritty, rhythmic riffs—all essential components for this Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham.

Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham Rock News Verdict

Royal Republic at Rock City isn’t just a concert. It’s a high-energy celebration of rock ‘n’ roll fun. They are a band that continues to surprise, evolving from their punk-rock roots into the synth-wave explorers of the LoveCop era without losing an ounce of their edge.

As the final notes of the thunderous “RATA-TATA” rang out, the crowd was left exhausted but exhilarated. If you haven’t seen them yet, this Royal Republic Live Review 2026 Nottingham should be your sign to catch them as soon as possible.