Live Review: DMA's - O2 Apollo, Manchester 20/04/2023
England’s adopted sons DMA’s deliver yet another spectacular gig in their home from home: the city of Manchester.
The Aussie boys always seem to pull in big crowds wherever they perform, but their popularity in the UK is quite simply remarkable, since it’s so very far from their homes down-under. Their gig at Manchester’s famous 02 Apollo was one of countless on their UK leg of dates which was sold out.
The supporting artists on their tour have been excellent, and DMA’s have had a rotation of various bands and solo acts joining them on the road. Manchester would be lucky enough to witness Demob Happy, who are promoting new work. As well as the heavy rockers, Tribes would play before DMA’s. The latter also brought new material to the Manchester crowd’s attention and it was certainly stuff to be excited about.
Demob Happy showed off the new and brilliant ‘Run Baby Run’, which was as heavy and powerful as the recording. Their new album is one to watch out for.
As for Tribes, they perfectly executed the task of warming up the Northern crowd for the main act. They brought brilliant energy with a range of stunning guitar sounds.
Before the crowd knew it, it was time for DMA’s.
The Aussie group have become synonymous with high-energy, interactive and inspiring live performances. Their display in Manchester was to be no different.
With a seriously impressive back catalogue of four studio albums behind them, the group brilliantly worked their magic with the set list. New tracks which have become immediate fan favourites were performed. ‘How Many Dreams?’ kicked off the set and did so in sublime fashion. The packed-out venue bounced in unison to its upbeat energy.
There was no letting up from the group, when they had clutched the crowd’s attention, they gripped it so tightly and didn’t let go, with ‘Olympia’, ‘The Glow’, ‘Timeless’ and the ever popular ‘Silver’ being played back-to-back consecutively. It just proved to be one of the most relentless gigs in that the group didn’t waste the time they had. They utilised every second of their set as though it were the only show they were performing in the next months. There was no one eye on their upcoming dates, Manchester got the full-force of DMA’s musical brilliance.
The set flew by, and there were brilliant moments where the crowd completely lost themselves in a display of pure euphoria. ‘Hello Girlfriend’ being one of the tracks that sent them into sheer bedlam. They performed a perfect false ending of the track, which was then followed by the scream of ‘Such a funny thing for me to try to explain’ with the band kicking back in and sending the audience bouncing.
The rest of the set was to be just as energetic. A four-song encore of ‘Blown Away’, ‘Laced’, ‘Feels Like 37’ and the new and popular ‘Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s The Weekend’ demonstrated the group’s complete mastery and versatility, with four tracks that really do show their quality.
The metaphorical roof of the Apollo was quite-definitely blown off, though the real one wasn’t too far behind either! DMA’s once again put on a brilliant show in the UK, and it’s no wonder their music-new and old- is so popular.
Words by Matthew Caslin
Photography by Lucy Holden
