Review and pictures – JD Garrahy

If you want energy, they got it. On stage chemistry, oh, there’s PLENTY of that. How about tunes so catchy they put old Tay Tay to shame? They have you more than covered. This is Don Broco, and tonight is the first show of a massive world tour, kicking off in our little quaint township of Brisbane.

Things are about to get nuts. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it to their 2023 sold out show at The Triffid, and from what I’ve heard, it was a night that still sits prominent in the heads of everyone that was in attendance. It’s time for me to strap in and experience this for myself.

Leading things off tonight, we are gifted with the incredible Future Static. If you haven’t seen this Melbournian behemoth before, then tonight you’re in for a treat. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing a band rise up from the suburbs of a capital city and absolutely destroy a venue of this size. The Princess Theatre really didn’t know what hit it, but this was just foreshadowing for what was to come.

Front woman Amariah Cook‘s voice is so powerful and soulful, that not one note was left behind as she held the audience’s gaze for the entirety of their set. This is what talent looks like, and you really need to keep this band on your radar if they weren’t before. Truly captivating.

Up next, and this band is no stranger to incredible support slots, is Sydney’s own RedHook. Now, if you want true rock star energy that is dominated by deep groove bass lines, riff work that infects you to dance your arse off, or blasting percussives that possess you to air drum till you explode, then look no further. RedHook has it all.

As Emmy Mack smashes onto the stage in a fury of excitement and enthusiasm, it’s clear that RedHook came to party, and that’s exactly what they intend to do. With a vibe that crosses multiple genres, yet keeps metal at the front, it’s easy to see why this quartet has garnered a hefty following over the years, and after dropping their album Mutation late last year, they have built that fanbase further so and continue to become an unstoppable juggernaut of the Aussie music scene.

Let’s do this shit! The lights go down, the crowd erupts and as the lads from Don Broco take the stage, the atmosphere within these walls of The Princess Theatre is thick enough to sink a sword into and hold it there for hours beyond. Launching straight into Everybody, it’s plain to see that Don Broco wants to make the first night of their world tour one to remember.

As if it wasn’t energetic enough, front man Rob Damiani leaps and bounds around the stage like a kid on a sugar bender. If you’re like me, and this is your first Don Broco live experience, then you chose well. And unless you were here with us, then it’s difficult to explain just how good a show it was. (Ah shit, that’s my job here. I’ll do my best for the unlucky that couldn’t make it.)

As they rip through a hefty set that encapsulates a career that spans nearly 20 years, it’s VERY apparent as to why this band has built an extensive, die hard fan base. Their shows aren’t just about the music, they’re about the feeling and emotion that this music stirs in you. If music is the one thing that brings you light and solace in this world, then Don Broco is the band for you.

They have a unique ability to make you feel like you’re part of the band while ringing into your eardrums enough to make you feel like you’re the only one in the room. I haven’t experienced this amount of live music connection in a very long time, and I’ve been to some killer gigs.

Including songs like Cellophane and Gumshield into an already massive setlist was a pro move, with the crowd absolutely lapping up every note, every beat and screaming back every lyric with ferocious intent. If this show is setting the level for the rest of this tour, then I want to be at every damn date worldwide.

The energy is truly unmatched. They say that if you do something you love, then you’ll never work a day in your life — if this is true, then Don Broco has never lifted a finger (I know lads, you’ve worked your damn arses off to get to this point, and it shows). I don’t think there is anything in this world that could wipe the smiles off these boys’ faces. It’s high paced, soul driven, rock music at its absolute finest.

Nothing gives you the same feeling as incredible live music and Don Broco knows how to deliver it in plentiful quantities. If this band is coming to a venue near you, I implore you, DO NOT hesitate in getting a ticket. This is big festival energy, brought down into the intimate venue setting. Don’t miss this, otherwise, you’ll be like me and have to wait till they return to experience it.

As the end of the night rears its ugly head, there is a feeling of pure contentment within the punters. We have just witnessed a band riding the peak of a wave that we never want to crash down, and with shows of this magnitude, that day will surely never come. Come back soon Don Broco, Australia needs live music of this high standard more than you could ever know.

 – GALLERY –