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LIVE REVIEW
DON BROCO
NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 12TH DECEMBER 2023
Photos and review by David Weddle - @dweddlephotography
Alt-Rock four piece Don Broco have been riding on the crest of a wave of success recently, thanks to their epic 2021 album, 'Amazing Things', which charted at number one in the UK charts. Since its release, Don Broco has spent much of the last two years bringing the album to life on stages across the world, including at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.
The band has also independently released their single and the tour's namesake, 'Birthday Party'. With their tour of intimate venues taking in towns and cities up and down the UK. We caught their show at Newcastle City Hall. Don Broco brought not one but two opening bands with them. Australian rockers Ocean Grove and UK band Trash Boat. Both played a great set and got the crowd suitably warmed up for the headliners.
The band has also independently released their single and the tour's namesake, 'Birthday Party'. With their tour of intimate venues taking in towns and cities up and down the UK. We caught their show at Newcastle City Hall. Don Broco brought not one but two opening bands with them. Australian rockers Ocean Grove and UK band Trash Boat. Both played a great set and got the crowd suitably warmed up for the headliners.
OCEAN GROVE
Trash Boat
Both Ocean Grove and Trash Boat played to a packed out City Hall, and they rewarded the crowd for coming out early to catch their performances by giving it their all and rocking out with boundless energy. Ocean Grove were up first having travelled from the other side of the globe to be on the tour it was a journey that was well and truly worth it. The band have an incredible energy about them and the enthusiasm of singer Dale is incredibly infectious.
Trash Boat picked up the mic next and their set was just as epic, bringing their own brand of punk rock to Newcastle all the way from St. Albans, the lads put their all in to putting on a set to remember and they definitely achieved that. Trash Boat are a force to be reckoned with in terms of their live show, with tracks like 'Don't You Feel Amazing' and the controversial 'He's So Good' getting the City Hall loosened up and ready for Don Broco.
Both bands were outstanding and one to add to the must see list next time they tour.
Trash Boat picked up the mic next and their set was just as epic, bringing their own brand of punk rock to Newcastle all the way from St. Albans, the lads put their all in to putting on a set to remember and they definitely achieved that. Trash Boat are a force to be reckoned with in terms of their live show, with tracks like 'Don't You Feel Amazing' and the controversial 'He's So Good' getting the City Hall loosened up and ready for Don Broco.
Both bands were outstanding and one to add to the must see list next time they tour.
Don Broco's stage set was a treat for the eyes, with the stage decked out with evergreen foliage, replicating the cover art for 'Amazing Things'. As you can probably imagine, after two exceptional warm-up bands, the crowd was in very high spirits as the band made their way on stage.
Wasting no time at all and kicking off straight into 'Gum Shield', Don Broco most certainly got the party started with style. Singer Rob Damiani donned a neck brace, having injured his neck several days earlier. He did take a moment to thank the crowd for not crucifying him on social media about it. To be fair, the Bruce Willis t-shirt, blue jeans, and neck brace is a look that Rob was able to pull off with style.
He might not have been able to get out in the crowd and mosh with them, but that didn't stop Rob from organising a mosh pit in the middle of 'Manchester Super Reds Number One Fan', a song that had more than enough energy to get the crowd moving. Guitarist Si showed off his signature high kicks, much to the crowd's delight, as bassist Tom threw in a few bounces of his own.
The whole band was in top form despite the frontman's injury. Drummer Matt Donnelly gave a solid performance from behind the drum kit, which was thankfully centre stage, giving everyone a clear, almost unobstructed view of Matt, which was great to see. His vocals were also very much on point.
Don Broco played a decent-sized set that had plenty of variety, with old favourites like 'Priorities' and 'Come Out To LA' nestled right alongside newer songs like 'Bruce Willis' and 'Fingernails' that opened the encore. Finishing the main set with their latest single, 'Birthday Party', Don Broco kept the party going right up to the last minute.
No Don Broco concert would be complete without a bit of t-shirt swinging, and tonight was no exception. The final song of the encore was the one that so many in the audience had clearly been waiting for, 'T-Shirt Song'. Don Broco truly are a class act. With style, energy, and fun at the heart of every show, they really know how to have a good time. It's no wonder, then, that the fans love them. What a night!
Wasting no time at all and kicking off straight into 'Gum Shield', Don Broco most certainly got the party started with style. Singer Rob Damiani donned a neck brace, having injured his neck several days earlier. He did take a moment to thank the crowd for not crucifying him on social media about it. To be fair, the Bruce Willis t-shirt, blue jeans, and neck brace is a look that Rob was able to pull off with style.
He might not have been able to get out in the crowd and mosh with them, but that didn't stop Rob from organising a mosh pit in the middle of 'Manchester Super Reds Number One Fan', a song that had more than enough energy to get the crowd moving. Guitarist Si showed off his signature high kicks, much to the crowd's delight, as bassist Tom threw in a few bounces of his own.
The whole band was in top form despite the frontman's injury. Drummer Matt Donnelly gave a solid performance from behind the drum kit, which was thankfully centre stage, giving everyone a clear, almost unobstructed view of Matt, which was great to see. His vocals were also very much on point.
Don Broco played a decent-sized set that had plenty of variety, with old favourites like 'Priorities' and 'Come Out To LA' nestled right alongside newer songs like 'Bruce Willis' and 'Fingernails' that opened the encore. Finishing the main set with their latest single, 'Birthday Party', Don Broco kept the party going right up to the last minute.
No Don Broco concert would be complete without a bit of t-shirt swinging, and tonight was no exception. The final song of the encore was the one that so many in the audience had clearly been waiting for, 'T-Shirt Song'. Don Broco truly are a class act. With style, energy, and fun at the heart of every show, they really know how to have a good time. It's no wonder, then, that the fans love them. What a night!
