Prior to the formation of Don Broco in 2008, members had met at Bedford Modern School and played in a number of local bands. Vocalist and frontman Rob Damiani subsequently began writing songs with the assistance of guitarist Simon Delaney, drummer Matt Donnelly, and bassist Luke Raymer. With several songs under their belts, Don Broco performed a series of local shows before individual members went off to university, with a promise that when they returned the band would take precedence.
Upon graduating, the band booked a host of new shows in Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester which significantly raised their exposure. The gigs led to a pair of shows at Camden Crawl and Download Festival, and an exclusive support slot opening for the post-hardcore group Enter Shikari. With the considerable buzz this generated for Don Broco, the band issued their debut, self-recorded single “Dreamboy” in 2010. Whilst failing to make an impact on the chart, the single was supported by further relentless touring, a habit for which they would become known. By February 2011 the band had released the single and video “Beautiful Morning” as well as the EP “Big Fat Smile” on EmuBands. The record was supported by more heavy touring alongside the likes of Lower Than Atlantis and We Are The Ocean. The same year the band performed at a series of festivals including Download, Sonisphere, Alternative Escape Festival, Slam Dunk, and Reading and Leeds festivals.
In early 2012 bassist Luke Rayner announced he was leaving the band, following which Don Broco signed with Search and Destroy Records. Led by the single “Priorities”, Don Broco’s debut full-length album of the same name was released in May 2012. Rising to No. 25 on the UK Albums Chart, the record earned a host of esteemed reviews, and spawned the subsequent singles “Hold On” and “Whole Truth”. The band’s sophomore album, “Automatic”, peaked at No. 3 on the UK Single Chart, upon release in 2015.
Each member of the alternative rock band, Don Broco, is incredibly talented, and although this was something that of course I was aware of, seeing them perform live only reiterated and confirmed this for me. As the lights went down and I heard the feedback from the guitar echo through the monitor, everyone was screaming in anticipation as smoke filled the stage. The band ran out on stage and took their positions before immediately launching into You Wanna Know.
From the first chord, their energy was sky high, and the two guitarists were throwing themselves around the stage, running at each other, and dancing like mad whilst playing incredibly complex riffs. They had everyone singing along even without request, but when Rob Damiani, the lead singer, jumped up on one of the amps and shouted ‘everybody sing with me’ the sound doubled, as everyone in the auditorium joined in.
They were great at winning over the audience, and their energy was contagious. The show was over 2 hours long, and my friends and I didn’t stop singing and dancing for the entirety. It was a brilliant performance, and I’d definitely see them again if I get the chance.
yazhow
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