“If you’re working tomorrow take it off. You’ve earnt it!” bold words coming from Don Broco’s frontman Rob Damiani as the closing bars of “Half Man, Half God” echo through the Arena. We’ve just finished playing extras for the filming of their latest single’s video with Damiani as our director. If this were a weekday gig, about 80% of this loyal fan base which surround me probably would consider pulling a sickie but we’re lucky it’s a Friday night and most of us don’t have to. A Friday night where Damiani’s offering to buy us a beer – a moment I dreamt of, although not quite like this.
*cheers*
The crowd are exhausted but powered on adrenalin. We’re in the midst of the encore but Don Broco who have been doing this for around a decade now, albeit this being their first UK arena tour, show no signs of letting up as they jolt into a performance of the first song they ever wrote “Thug workout” followed by the crowd pleaser “T-Shirt song.” This is a nod to the band’s student days, here in Nottingham. If you went to either of the universities in Nottingham, you’ll know that it’s where the push-up squad was born, at the Nottingham nightlife institution of Ocean. Don Broco claim it was 10 years ago – which would be in line with when frontman Damiani and drummer Donnelly both attended Uni of Nottingham (coincidence?) – being the age I am (ahem!) I can attest to the fact it was born long before but this familiarity is what signals that the band has roots here, as well as a pretty devout following which spans fans of all ages and walks of life judging by the crowd.
The four piece chose to open the night with their understated intro to their most recent album, “Come out to LA.” The lights of the arena faded and only the subtle silhouette of Don Broco’s drummer Matt Donnelly at centre stage stood behind a mike. As he sang the synth hook fans shuffled, ready and in anticipation of the infamous tempo switch which saw all band members including lead singer Rob Damiani pound onto the stage sending an electric surge of energy bolting into the crowd.
Watching the standing crowd from my seat I took a boomerang for instagram (a home-made giphy) – an ironic nod to the band’s album Technology, just over a year since its release. It’s incredible to watch how everyone knows when to move, jump and mosh so simultaneously. This is a devoted fan base
The band sound loud, commanding and terrific, the set is bold and bright – three circular screens to the left, right and centre of the stage and absolutely none of it deflects from the music as you can often find with arena tours.
And that’s how you can tell Broco have been doing this years.
I’ve seen the band many times, following them pretty closely after a friend introduced me to their second album Automatic a few years ago but it was the first time I’ve watched them from a seat.
Admittedly it wasn’t quite the same – symptomatic of an arena tour it would seem but it’s no surprise that the standing seats had sold out – at Don Broco gigs the floor is where all the fun happens and looking down from my seat it was where I wanted to be!
Think mosh-pits, circle pits, crowd-surfing cowboys and push ups – although not in that order.
At times the band seemed to forget they had an audience above the stalls, directing only the standing crowd during the video recording – which admittedly got a tedious and and mundane for those of us in seats.
However with the recent accolade of being crowned Best British Artist by Rock Sound there is no doubt that the band are the ones who own the shoes let alone fill them, in an arena or club. And even though an arena tour is a far cry from their days of performing at the likes of Rock City and Junction 7 (RIP) whether you’re a devout fan (like me) or someone who’s just observing from the sidelines there’s no question that in their 10 years of experience, Don Broco have what it takes.
Treating their fans to the greatest hits from Technology including “Pretty,” “Stay Ignorant,” “Porkies” and “Good Listener” as well as some oldies but goldies such as “Priorities,” an acoustic rendition of “Further” and my firm favourite “Nerve” Don Broco bring more thrill, excitement and fun to the Motorpoint Arena.
Thanking anyone who’s been with them from the start, while fans t-shirts wave above their heads, Damiani signals the gig has come to an end, but judging by the success of that arena show – they’re only just getting started!
Review by Nadya Jaworskyi
Photos by Chris Marsh
