Album Review: DMA's bottle their indie pop magic into the spectacular 'Live At Brixton' Album

DMA’s‘ concert at Brixton this time last year marked the launch into the precipice that was the COVID lockdown. As such, it has achieved a certain iconic status as one of the last big gigs of 2020, and it is now hard to remember the feeling of bouncing cheek by jowl in a heaving hall to live music. And DMA’s spectacular music lends itself perfectly to sweaty stadiums with their brand of anthemic indie pop. Well, in anticipation of the return of unrestricted live gigs, just put on the new DMA’s ‘Live at Brixton’ with headphones, stand in a darkened wardrobe, drench yourself in warm water, close your eyes and relive those moments.

The gig meant a lot to the band, which adds a certain lustre:

Our first ever show in the UK was the opening slot at Brixton Academy so this is just totally emblematic of the support that has grown overseas we are ever grateful for. It’s still the greatest show we have ever played and we will never forget that night. See you all soon! Stay safe.

The gig was live-streamed mid last year, and that was a spectacular performance to watch on the screen, so it’s great to see the gig issued on a double album for posterity. There are a number of interesting aspects to this, as captured.

The gig was held on the release of the album ‘The Glow’, so many of the audience were not quite as familiar (and therefore not quite as rapturous) with the new material as the songs were announced (other than the older singles like ‘Silver’), but in raptures at the end. ‘The Glow’ is a prime example – the sheer force and energy of the song played live is undeniable so a muted response to it’s announcement gave way to a tumultuous reception.

The other thing to note is deep love and knowledge of the audience for the songs – the crowds can be heard singing along to every familiar track going back in history. ‘In The Air’ is a prime example: a song infused with sense of melancholy that has the crowd singing the main riffs beautifully in unison.

The quality of recording is not bad – the venue is big and booming so hard to control. Any such limitations are however irrelevant given the sheer mastery of live perfomance by the band. Tight and controlled, the vocals remain clear and in tune, and acoustic guitars shimmer and sparkle.

In terms of material, DMA’s cover their entire career with a healthy nod to material ‘The Glow’, opening up with single ‘Feels Like 37’ from their debut self titled EP released in 2014:

‘Lay Down’, off debut album ‘Hill’s End’, was the first single released off this album and you can see why this album is so special. DMA’s have proven time and time again that they excel in the live arena: this is a spine-tingling performance that captures the band’s euphoric choruses and rakish delivery:

The delivery of DMA’s first single ‘Delete’ is nothing short of magnificent – powerful and emotive. ‘Life is a Game of Changing’, one of the standouts from ‘The Glow’ – an album that didn’t have a dud track – is expansive, bold and atmospheric.

The dynamism and energy of the gig continues across seventeen tracks to the very end, without respite. And material this good, who needs respite?

DMA’s material is ultimately just perfect for stadium performances – epic, cinematic and anthemic songs. The atmosphere is palpable and spine-tingling and every track a spectacular delivery of what are spectacular songs.

The album is out now in a variety of formats here.

Following a sold out 24 date ‘Unplugged and Intimate’ tour in Sydney and Brisbane last year (plus a performance at the AFL Grand Final and a televised New Year’s Eve special from Sydney Harbour), DMA’S are set to make a long-awaited full band return to touring in 2021 with a headline UK tour, which includes a huge 10,000 capacity gig at London’s Alexandra Palace, followed by their largest Australian headline tour to date in Sep/Oct. Tickets for all shows on sale now from dmasdmas.com.

Details of the UK/Ireland tour are as follows:

APRIL

4th – Newcastle, O2 Academy

7th – Southampton, O2 Guildhall

9th – Liverpool, Echo Arena

10th – London, Alexandra Palace

13th – Dublin, The Academy (SOLD OUT)

14th – Dublin, The Academy (SOLD OUT)

16th – Norwich, The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA

17th – Hull, Bonus Arena

JULY

10th – Leeds, Millennium Square – Sounds of the City