Even before alt-rock band Don Broco take to the stage, there’s a frenetic energy in the air at OVO Wembley Arena.
During the three support acts, mosh pits form like sporadic whirlpools, while the conveyer belt of crowd surfers is less a visceral response to the music and more a convenient transport system toward the toilets. Add to that the lingering stench of testosterone that fills the venue – you can sense that, whatever happens tonight, it’s going to be electric.
The Bedford-born juggernauts blow open the set with “Cellophane”, the first single from their upcoming album, though they make sure not to deviate too far from fan favourites, launching into the more conventional pop tune “Welcome to La” and the heavier hit “Everybody”. Lead singer Rob Damiani glides across the stage with a laid-back ease, wearing his iconic shield sunglasses and a leather jacket that Neo from The Matrix would happily nick from his wardrobe.
“We’re so fucking happy to be back here playing at Wembley,” Damiani says. “We played here for the first time back in 2019. That was by far the best show we’ve ever done in the history of our band. This venue is so fucking special to us.”
Damiani’s words feel authentic as he blasts through the band’s extensive discography, with beloved head-bangers “Gumshield”, “Technology” and “Fingernails” interspersed between their latest singles such “Disappear” and “Hype Man” which were nonetheless raved along to by the crowd who had clearly already osmosed any crumb of new music the band released this year.
If there was one song the fans couldn’t religiously recall, it was their unreleased track “True Believers”, a startlingly heavy number that fully utilises Damiani’s gnarly screaming abilities and Matt Donnelly’s rhythmic swagger.
The neon-lit set was minimalist, but this only emphasised the spectacular command Don Broco had over their audience. Damiani’s vocals were nigh-on flawless, with only Simon Delaney’s grinding cords of the maximalist anthem “Euphoria” ever so slightly drowning out Damiani’s prophetic lyrics. Meanwhile drummer Matt Donnelly’s powerful backing vocals acted like a starting pistol to the mosh pits in the crowd.
The band then transitioned smoothly into a stripped-back acoustic session, plunging the stage set into darkness, and revealing via spotlight Damiani and Delaney seated among the crowd with nothing but a mic and acoustic guitar to play “For You Wanna Know”. This was briefly followed by a heartfelt rendition of “Further” with guest Yonaka whose tender vocals harmonised alongside Damiani’s, emphasising the band’s musical range.
Almost as soon as the crowd began to mellow into the softer melodies, we’re straight back into the explosive banger “Bruce Willis”, while during “T-shirt Song”, fans have their spare tops at the ready – as for the unprepared, a sea of topless men and women in bras spin their clothing in the air. It’s a climactic moment, and one that cements Don Broco’s status as one of the UK’s most exciting rock bands right now.
Words Anna Jane Begley
Photography Tom Pullen
