Following the release of their fourth studio album, How Many Dreams? last year, DMA’s graced the stage at Keele Students’ Union on December 10, delivering an unforgettable night that doubled as an epic early Christmas gift for most.
Opening the night was the incredibly talented Mia Wray, a singer-songwriter hailing from Australia. The 28-year-old’s performance was nothing short of mesmerising, hypnotic even, particularly with tracks like Never Gonna Be The Same and Evidence. With a mix of emotive ballads and powerful, anthemic tunes, her soulful vocals and heartfelt lyrics demanded the attention of the audience from the very first note, and she was very quickly added to my regular Spotify playlist.
Liverpool-based band Stone followed, the four-piece bringing a unique brand of punk to the stage. The four-piece ensemble demonstrated a knack for crafting catchy, guitar-driven melodies with their energetic performance getting the crowd geared up and ready for the mighty DMA’s.
It always bemuses me how DMA’s can deliver a performance that is as lively as it is laidback. Their set kicked off with Olympia’s infectious melodies and emotionally charged lyrics from the latest album, before seamlessly transitioning into 2020’s hit single The Glow – the new and the old effortlessly woven throughout the set.
The benefit of touring the UK nine months post-release meant that everyone had the chance to more than familiarise themselves with the new album, with Get Ravey seeing the crowd dancing and singing along to every word without skipping a beat.
DMA’s also took a moment to revisit their earlier material, treating fans to the anthemic Silver and the crowd-favourite Emily Whyte, maintaining an unwavering connection with the audience, with Delete bringing a beautifully raw intensity to the ballroom.
The encore saw an emotional climax with Step Up the Morphine and Lay Down, ending on a high note with the upbeat and infectious Everybody’s Saying Thursday’s the Weekend, which saw lead vocalist Tommy O’Dell’s beat his chest with pride as he looked out across the sea of fans who had chosen to spend their pre-Christmas night out with them.
With a setlist that blended their signature Britpop-inspired sound with newer electronic tracks, the Australian indie-rockers proved once again why they’re considered one of the most exciting acts in the music scene today. There was a perfect balance of nostalgic early hits and newer releases. How Many Dreams? does a wicked job of blending electronic dance elements with the beloved foundations of guitar rock and punk, which set DMA’s apart from any other band making noise right now.
If you’ve not given the new album a listen yet you can do so here:
