LIVE REVIEW & GALLERY: DMA's @ The Nick Raynes LCR UEA, Norwich & O2 Academy, Leeds
Support from The K's.
Stepping into Norwich UEA LCR was like stepping back into my mid 20’s . A venue I’ve frequented so often yet due to where life has taken me hadn’t stepped foot in in more than 10years. The place hasn’t changed, with the crowd of mainly university students looking as young as ever and the atmosphere starting to buzz. I did overhear many conversations of people confessing they only knew one or two songs, however, from my experience this is often typical of gigs on university campuses as it's a good excuse for a fairly cheap night out.
The support came from North East band the K’s, a bunch of very enigmatic likeable lads with plenty of energy to keep the crowd entertained through songs most had probably never heard before. Ending their set with their most familiar offering Sarajevo the crowd gave an approving applause to a support band I feel have the potential to go far.
Now it was time for the usual bar and toilet dash in between bands, both the toilet and the bar queue providing interesting conversation reminding me why it’s so nice to be back at live music events sounded by my kind of people.
Anyway bar and toilet mission completed it was off to find a perch to watch the DMA’s, being a rather tiny 5ft 2 I managed to squeeze my way through all the incredibly tall men who usually make a beeline to stand in front of me to the edge of the stairs, a place I’ve stood and watched many a gig and a place that gives us vertically challenged souls a perfect view of the evening's proceedings. It also proved to be a very precarious place to stand when the incredibly intoxicated lady beside me periodically decided to lose her balance and almost send everyone toppling like dominoes.
At last it was time for the main event! The lights dimmed and the die hard fans started reciting “D D DMA’s” to hurry the band on stage. Then a dancy track plays with some distortion and computerised voice repeating “D M A S” while various coloured lighting illuminates the stage. The band saunter out and largely stand with their back to the crowd before launching into their first song, a song which sounds reminiscent of something that wouldn’t have been out of place during the 90’s Britpop years.
The music was fairly continuous with limited interaction which the seasoned fans seemed accustomed to, however at times this lack of showmanship appeared to lose the more casual listener. Where the support had been very good at hyping the crowd so they enjoyed songs they’d never heard before the DMA’s more aloof stage presence made it hard for the audience to connect with them on a more personal level.
Musically they couldn’t be faulted, each song sounded polished and delivered like a band who had been in the industry for many more years than they have. A good mix of upbeat songs with lively lighting, arm waving and moderate jumping from the first few rows of the crowd mixed in with more thoughtful slower tempo offerings that the crowd gently swayed to, probably wishing they had a lighter to wave!
Then with a fully awakened crowd and a last “come on Norwich!” from singer Thomas the gig was over. Having sneaked a look at the set list from the night before I knew there was an encore to come as did the fans down the front who knew they were yet to hear the bands biggest hits. Once again as silence bestowed on the LCR a louder group of diehard fans chanted “D D DMA’s” to which I heard the man beside me moan although I’m not quite sure why.
After a short while they appeared back on stage and played through another three songs which far more of the audience seemed to know as suddenly the whole floor section became the indie equivalent of a mosh pit with the crowd the liveliest they’d been all evening. Encore over and as the house lights went up, I could clearly see the hardcore fans had an incredible night. For the rest of us I think it will go down as one of those gigs that was alright but wished we’d taken the time to get to know the band better beforehand.
Walking to the SU bar for a student priced beer while I waited for my taxi I struck up conversation with a few people and asked what they thought of the gig. They were all buzzing, with how amazing it had been and telling me how they’d seen the band multiple times in a whole array of locations in the past so clearly once you’re hooked on this band you’re hooked!
Setlist:
Never Before
The Glow
Dawning
In the Moment
Silver
Life Is a Game of Changing
Criminals
Emily Whyte
We Are Midnight
Tape Deck Sick
In the Air
Hello Girlfriend
Delete
Junk Truck Head Fuck
Play It Out
Encore:
Appointment
Lay Down
Feels Like 37
Review from Norwich - Nick Raynes LCR UEA, October 21st 2021
Photos from Leeds - O2 Academy, November 11th 2021
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