Tenacious D Bring Laughter and Rock to the Seaside at Brighton’s The Centre [Photos]

As the sun set on the infamous Brighton seafront on Monday night, crowds poured into The Brighton Centre ready for a night of rock and comedy as the legendary duo, Tenacious D, graced the stage, supported by the brilliant Dave Hill.

Dave Hill, the wacky but wonderful opener, set the tone for the night with a set full of hilarious songs and jokes. Not only was his set full of his usual blend of crazy comedy with incredible guitar solos, but he also a wrote whole section of his set about the local area. He joked about ‘pick-up lines’ that could be used only by those who live in or around Brighton which had the crowd in stiches. The highlight of his set came when Kyle Gass of Tenacious D joined him on stage to play the recorder. This was a stroke of comedic genius, as Gass’s amusing expressions and perfect comedy timing added to Hill’s set, showcasing Kyle’s willingness to dive headfirst into the absurd.

After Hill’s set, there was a quick turnaround (around fifteen minutes) before the headliners graced the stage. Just after nine o’clock, the lights dimmed as the “Overture” from their 2016 film, The Pick of Destiny, echoed around the arena. Jack Black and Kyle Gass soon emerged to loud applause. The infamous duo soaked in the noise from the audience before diving straight in with the opening chords of “Kickapoo”, instantly starting a sing-along frenzy among the audience that nearly drowned out the band itself.

The setlist was a carefully curated blend of original hits and surprising covers, each performed with the signature flair that only Tenacious D can deliver. Tracks like “Low Hanging Fruit” and “Video Games” had the audience in fits of laughter, and the classic moments like “The Metal” and “Sax-a-Boom”, which have been a part of their setlist for many years, brought back a wave of nostalgia.

Midway through the set, they delved into their legendary hits “Wonderboy” and the fan-favourite “Tribute”, where a sea of phones flooded the arena as fans wanted to catch the iconic moment. During “Tribute” a towering daemon appeared in the background of the stage, evoking scenes from their cult classic film. The band were once again almost drowned out as the audience sang along at the top of their lungs. The band continued the story throughout the show, later performing “Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)”, where their talented guitarist acted out the part and sang the lines that was performed by Dave Grohl on the original recording. At the end of this track, the daemon at the back of the stage disappeared behind the set.

However, perhaps the most captivating aspect of the night was the undeniable chemistry between Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Their onstage banter showed how strong their friendship is, drawing the audience into their world with every riff and punchline. Black’s larger-than-life persona was complemented perfectly by Gass’s quirky charm, creating a dynamic partnership that has stood the test of time.

The night came to end in the only way a Tenacious D concert should end – with the classic track, “Fuck Her Slowly”. Members of the audience held up their torches on their phones and swayed to the music, joining in with the sarcastic humour of the song.

For those lucky enough to be in attendance, it was a night filled with laughter, brilliant music, and above all, the sheer joy of rock and roll. And as the house lights came on and the crowd began to disperse, one thing was abundantly clear – Tenacious D had once again proven themselves to be true masters of their craft, leaving Brighton wanting more: proving once again why they are the greatest band in the world.

Tenacious D (w/ Dave Hill) @ The Centre (Brighton, UK) on May 13, 2024 on May

26 photos