There’s a certain frisson of excitement detectable when you see a band play its hometown, and tonight’s performance by Sydney’s DMA’s was no exception. You cannot help but imagine that at some point the members of the band were themselves part of some seething, moshing crowd at this very same venue, perhaps only dreaming about being on that very stage.
DMA’s have become stadium mega stars – their music is ripe for the live venue with their bright, bold, anthemic and euphoric songs and their own swaggering insouciant attitude. From their opening entrance shrouded in fog in a monochrome light, ripping straight into the title track from this year’s ‘How Many Dreams?’ they swaggered and posed with an euphoric level of attitude. Upping the ante with ‘The Glow’ and ‘Silver’, the band displayed an immense stage presence, filled with rock’n’roll tropes that are immensely satisfying and cathartic. And perfect fodder, accompanied by the brilliant light show, for anyone with a camera.
The set was weighted towards the last album and yet the band dipped in and out of their earlier material, with their debut single ‘Delete’ met with a thrilling roar from the audience, as was their now archetypal cover of Cher’s ‘Believe’. ‘Play It Out’ and the slamming ‘Lay Down’ in the encore, from their debut album, also featured. ‘Feels Like 37’, a live favourite and only available on their debut EP was another thrilling addition.
Tommy O’Dell’s voice was just simply angelic – an infectious melancholy dripping through every note – and the other permanent members Matthew Mason and Johnny Took were mesmerising, playing with utter commitment and passion. It was a brilliant show in every respect: entertaining, thrilling and immersive.
Set List:
How Many Dreams?
The Glow
Silver
Olympia
Things We Are Overcoming
Tape Deck
Fading Like A Picture
Hello Girlfriend
Forever
Believe
Delete
Play It Out
Feels Like 37
Encore
In The Air
Lay Down
Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s The Weekend
Feature Photograph and Gallery: Arun Kendall
