Don Broco @ O2 Academy Birmingham 15 February, 2018
After finally entering the venue with a queue that was almost back into the centre of Birmingham, it appeared that we had annoyingly missed the first support for the evening Yonaka.
The fact that tonight’s show had sold out and the queue was in reality half a mile long, is a testament to where Don Broco have come to headline the evening
But first it was for Japanese rockers Man with a Mission to warm the crowd up, and they sure as hell managed that. Each donning wolf masks, the band played a 45 min set full of high energy and catchy tunes that had the crowd gradually warming to the band and getting more and more involved. It’s certain that upon the band’s return to these shores they’ll be welcomed with open arms and perhaps a few audience members wearing wolf masks.
Following a headline show at London’s Alexandra Palace, a top five record and an almost sold out tour it’s safe to assume that it’s a good time to be in Don Broco.
As the band took to the sold out O2 Academy stage, they blasted into Pretty and Everybody from their latest record Technology, and the tone was set for the evening. A party to say the least. Production wise the band sported a slick light show, whilst energy levels rarely dropped throughout the performance both from the band and the crowd.
Participation was encouraged as always during Thug Workout but also in new track T Shirt Song that included..well..swinging your t shirt around your head. Thank you Skindred. Older songs such as Superlove, Automatic and Money Power Fame all provided further lively moments whilst songs such as Nerve and Fire gave a bit of breathing space and dynamic to the evening.
But for a band to have such a wealth of strong material at this point in their career shows how far it’s possible for them still to go. And I promise I’m not telling Porkies.
Reviewer: Dan Earl
Photographer: Chris Bowley