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After being postponed from last Autumn, the Aussie Indie trio DMAs returned to o2 Academy Leeds for their 2021 tour. Jess Plunkett reviews.
“YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE! YORKSHIRE!”
The keen Leeds crowd buzzed in anticipation for night two of DMAs’ The Glow tour at o2 Academy, and (spoiler alert!) the band certainly did not disappoint. Filled with indie-pop hits, Tommy O’Dell, Matt Mason and Jonny Took hit the stage with their latest album of the same name. It’s clear to see the band were eager to perform again after such a long wait, and they certainly brought their all.
I was lucky enough to receive a press and photography pass for the event, and as a DMAs and general indie fan myself, I jumped at the offer. Being able to see the band from the front-row was a surreal experience, and one I won’t forget in a hurry!
Indie music plays a critical role in Leeds culture, particularly amongst University Students, with the o2, home to the weekly Indie Thursdays student event, at the core. Leeds has now become a renowned Indie hot spot, so it’s clear to see why the DMAs chose this venue to perform 2 sold out nights in a row. But even if you’re not the worlds-biggest Indie fan, DMAs offer a wide-range sound, from traditional mosh-pitting bangers to sing-along ballads, that truly are for everyone.
And these hits transpired perfectly in a live atmosphere, with lead singer Tommy O’Dell’s voice sounding indistinguishable from the original track. The sheer talent of this band shone through as they opted for a simple setup to create an authentic indie vibe whilst simultaneously letting their talent alone entertain the room. Playing a whopping thirty six songs over two nights is no mean feat, but the crowd were always there to sing the words right back to them if they needed it.
The band don a mysterious and ‘edgy’ persona, which certainly followed through within their gig. But they were always smiling to the fans who watched in awe, and one special crowd member in particular…
All the way up on the balcony, a young boy, accompanied by his parents, gleamed as Took dedicated a song to him, possibly their youngest fan. They continued to smile and look up to the boy throughout the gig, which was a heart-warming experience that truly was a testament to how much shows like these bring communities together. And this authenticity was eagerly reciprocated by the crowd, too. I witnessed each and every person checking on those around them if they were knocked during mosh pits, apologising for collisions and dancing and singing along to strangers. An amazing sight to behold.
The night was certainly one to remember, as they ended on crowd-favourite ‘Feels like 37’, after a largely requested encore. They left the stage after waves of gratitude, leaving some lucky fans with drumsticks, plectrums and set lists, and others with lasting memories (and almost definitely a song or two stuck in your head!).
Words and photos by Jess Plunkett