The first night of Don Broco’s Amazing Things tour was definitely one that they’d remember as such. There’s an element of surrealism that a band as huge as Papa Roach are the support act for Don Broco, with Dance Gavin Dance the openers, but tonight’s performance proved why the Brits are the perfect fit for a headlining arena tour, even outdoing the nu-metal heavyweights.
Cardiff International Arena was packed out from the start of Dance Gavin Dance’s set, which featured an energetic performance with outstanding vocals from recently (and controversially) returned Tilian Pearson. Papa Roach shortly followed with a dramatic entrance, starting on a high with Kill The Noise; sadly, it descended from there, with a set that felt disappointingly more like a karaoke night for the metal band. A cover of The Prodigy’s Firestarter had some explosive promises but fell short, and even during Last Resort, pink-haired Jacoby Shaddix crowbarred in Queen’s We Will Rock You, which felt cheap and unnecessary for a flagship song that would have done great by itself.
Luckily enough, this was no reflection on Don Broco’s performance. Beginning with Bruce Willis, screams of “yippee-ki-yay-motherfuckerrr!” immediately echoed around the dense crowd as moshpits erupted. ‘That’s how you start a show, Cardiff!’ praised frontman Rob Damiani, expressing excitement in how this is the biggest tour the Bedford group have ever done. The stage set up left me immensely impressed: a massive halo of lights suspended above the four-piece band with their performance projected abstractly onto pillars in the backdrop.
Damiani’s energy was unrivaled, leaping around the stage during Superlove, and the crowd mirrored this with continuous energy. They even brought out Shaddix to do a very well-received rendition of Manchester Super Reds No 1 Fan, and concluded their encore with fan favourite T-Shirt Song, which simply wouldn’t have been complete without fans swinging their tops in unison above their heads.
Don Broco have the unique combination of stage presence and charisma similar to indie groups like Bastille, mixed with owning the ability to easily command mosh pits akin to their more established rock peers. The band’s infectious energy tonight exemplified this to the fullest, leaving smiles on everyone’s faces and sweat running down our foreheads.
Don Broco, Papa Roach + Dance Gavin Dance, Cardiff International Arena, Tue 21 Mar
words INDIA MUNDAY photos ANTHONY JAMES
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