DMA’s @ o2 Academy, 4th April 2019
They’ve been dubbed by some as Australia’s answer to Oasis but fobbing DMA’s off as Gallagher copycats would be far from fair.
Britpop throwbacks they may be, but these boys have certainly been offering something unique since capturing the hearts of young indie fans several years back. Last night they were back in Birmingham at the O2 Academy for the second date of their 2019 UK Spring Tour. Their visit to the second city comes on the back of second record For Now, following the success of 2016 debut Hills End.
Kicking off the evening’s affairs was Brum five-piece Ivory Wave, whose commitment to consistent live shows around the city has seen them rewarded with a support slot to a band rapidly on the rise.
DMA’s made an understated entrance, in keeping with their straight forward tunes and casual attire, but the opening notes of Dawning sent the packed out crowd into a rapture. Each and every word was roared back with passion and joy from the audience, with plenty of hugs, climbing on shoulders and flying beers to boot. Singer Tommy O’Dell acted as an enigmatic vessel for the crowd’s thirst for a party, conducting singalongs with energy and a sense that evenings like this were exactly what the group had made the huge trip from down under for.
A handful of songs into the set In The Air took things to a new level — a raw and emotional anthem, the lyrics were belted out in tune by the Brummie crowd for one of the moments of the night. From there, the singalong anthems kept coming and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the likes of Time and Money or Step Up The Morphine filling out bigger venues when the Sydney band tour album number three. Crowd interaction was kept to a minimal as they let the tunes to do the talking with stripped back rendition of The End before the youthful pit went into frenzy for fan favourite Delete.
Do I Need You Now?, Emily Whyte and Play It Out brought the set to a close before the Aussie outfit returned for a three song encore. A chaotic finale of Lay Down saw flares light up the venue from every angle as the crowd disappeared amidst a sea of colourful smoke. After the song reached its climactic and euphoric finish the band said their goodbyes and were gone, For Now.
Reviewer: Jordan Harris
Photographer: Ian Dunn