The DMA’s continued their UK tour headlining Manchester’s O2 Apollo last night to a sold out audience of ‘mad for it’ indie fans. I last saw this Australian three-piece back in 2019, supporting Liam Gallagher at Manchester Arena. Fast forward four and a bit years, and these indie rockers have gone from strength to strength, amassing a huge international fan base, and certainly making a mark in this Northern City, famed for its love of all things indie. They certainly looked the part, parkas and swagger, with acoustic guitarist Johnny Took channeling his inner Gallagher wearing a full-length parka.
The band was supported by Camden based indie four piece Tribes who were keen to showcase their latest album ‘Rabbit Head’. The band is led by Johnny Lloyd who along with Dan White, Jim Cratchley and Miguel Demelo performed a tight half an hour set proving that they can hold their own and adding to their list of impressive support slots, which in the past have included none other than The Rolling Stones and Pixies. This latest release is the first in a decade split back in 2013 but this tour has seen them make a triumphant return to the big stages. All things Tribes including news on their latest release can be found here https://www.facebook.com/tribesband/.
DMA’s kicked off the proceedings with their upbeat track ‘How Many Dreams’ taken from their album of the same name. Johnny Lloyd is a fantastic lead singer, understated, no-nonsense and with a bloody impressive vocal range that is showcased perfectly in the opening numbers. He doesn’t move often from the microphone, becoming completely engrossed in the music, eyes closed and singing with passion and determination. In contrast to this, is the band’s acoustic guitarist Johnny Took, who rarely stays still, to the point where I don’t know how he plays such complex chords with his guitar often raised above his head.
The audience is dedicated, waving the flag of the band’s native Australia/some doing so whilst wearing Manchester United shirts, but regardless, providing a warm welcome to the three piece who regularly sell out shows in this city. The band played a number of crowd favourites including Silver and Delete as well as tracks from their fourth studio album ‘How Many Dreams’. The band ended with a three-song encore, completing the evening with ‘Thursdays’. The band have a number of dates left in their UK tour as well as a handful of festival appearances this summer. Further information can be found here https://dmasdmas.com.
DMA’s Setlist
- How Many Dreams
- Olympia
- The Glow
- Timeless
- Silver
- Swao
- Tape Deck
- Fading Like a Picture
- Hello GF
- Forever
- Delete
- Play It Out
- Laydown
- Blown Away
- Laced
- Feels Like 37
- Thursdays
