The Bank Holiday Bonanza saw DMAs arrive at The Brook in Southampton to play the first of their acoustic gigs in support of their latest album ‘How Many Dreams?’- tonights gig was an outstore gig in conjunction with Vinilo Record Store in Southampton. I had yet to visit The Brook as a venue so tonight was a new experience for me – I knew the venue was small and once everyone began to pack in it became a very tight squeeze. There wasn’t the customary photography pit tonight at The Brook which meant for free reign around the venue to grab snaps from the floor and the balcony.
There isn’t a support band for the gig tonight and within the hour of the doors opening DMAs are on stage and flying straight into ‘Feels Like 37’ which was their very first release all the way back in 2015 now. This song for me is one of those that has always sounded better in the live environment than it does on record – the version from the Brixton Academy gig back in March 2020 is simply superb.
Tonight was all about ‘How Many Dreams?’ with the 10 song set list being tailored towards the most recent release. We are treated to ‘Olympia’, ‘Fading Like a Picture’ and ‘Something We Are Overcoming’ in the first half of the set with each track being really well received by the sold out crowd at The Brook. As part of the album release DMAs produced two new branded football shirts and a few of these were dotted around the venue from fans that had bought the deluxe vinyl package. The first big sing along came during this part of the set with ‘Silver’ and this would set the tone for things to come.
Rousing renditions of ‘Delete’ and ‘Lay Down’ provide the crowd with their opportunity to sing every word back to Tommy at the top of their voices, which at times it was hard to hear lead singer himself but this provided for some real spine tingling moments. Before we knew it the set finished with the leading single from the new album ‘Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s The Weekend’ sending a delighted crowd on their way home, weirdly, still in daylight.
This DMAs mini tour will see them take in Marlborough Town Hall, the 02 Academy in Oxford and The Mill in Birmingham amongst a few other smaller venues as well. If you have tickets to any of the intimate dates then you are in for treat if tonight is anything to go by!
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