Don Broco - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 8th September @ Lion Arts Factory, Adel SA

DON BROCO
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA
September 8, 2025
Supports: Redhook & Future Static

Australia, I think it's time we stop labelling Adelaide as sleepy when it comes to attending gigs, particularly mid-week. In recent times, South Australian crowds have continued to support the heavy and alternative music scene, with packed rooms for bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, Paleface Swiss, and The Used. DON BROCO’s Adelaide debut continued to show that our city's music scene WILL come out to dance, mosh, and sing - even on a Monday night!

For anyone reading who is unfamiliar with DON BROCO, no words, label or comparison would do justice to describe their sound and style. The band seamlessly weaves elements of rock, funk, synth-pop and nu-metal in a way that seems perfectly harmonious. From Bedford, UK, DON BROCO have achieved Amazing Things and are on a trajectory for so much more. Releasing four studio albums (and a fifth on its way), DON BROCO has a strong following. After this Australian tour, they'll clearly need much bigger venues next time.

The Australian leg of this world tour was deservingly supported by Redhook and Future Static, two bands on their own pathways to success.

Kicking off the night was Melbourne’s Future Static, who delivered a performance that was equal parts ferocious, technical, and emotionally captivating. Amariah Cook delivered a masterclass in modern heavy vocals, seamlessly transitioning between clean melodies and explosive screams. This was perfectly complemented by bassist Kira Neil's vocals and the thunderous sound brought by drummer Jackson Trudel. Despite beginning their short set to a half-filled room, the band’s captivating stage presence was undeniable, and by three songs in, the venue had visibly filled as their groove had the room nodding and swaying. Amariah's raw emotion was on full display as she climbed the barrier to stand over the crowd, screaming the breakdown to ‘Roach Queen’ with a ferocity that encapsulated their ability to captivate an audience.

Next up was Redhook, a band who needs little introduction to those in the Australian heavy and alternative scene. Their brand of genre-mashing pop/punk/metal/rock has seen them share stages with international heavyweights, play major festivals, and sell out their own headline shows. The hypercolored backdrop was the perfect visual representation for what was to come, as Emmy Mack brought an infectious attitude and an onslaught of blistering energy. Redhook’s theatrics, from bubble machines for ‘Hot Tub’ to Emmy donning a straitjacket for ‘Psych vs Psych,’ were a spectacle to behold. Guitarist Craig Wilkinson brought out a saxophone for ‘Soju,’ hilariously admitting his confusion between iconic sax hooks for ‘Careless Whisper’ and ‘Baker Street’, before playing both. “Adelaide, are you with us?” Emmy asked the strong crowd, who answered with moshing, dancing and singing. Bringing Future Static's Amariah back on stage for a ferocious collaboration on ‘Hexx’ was a set highlight, and I am sure I am not the only one wanting to see these two bands collaborate on a future track.

Before closing with ‘Bad Decisions’, Emmy called for a “tiny, little wall of death”, which saw the crowd enthusiastically parted, but either decided not to return, or just missed the cue to do so. It was a slightly embarrassing moment for the crowd but didn't stop a strong mosh to finish the set.  

The anticipation was thick for DON BROCO, as the temperature inside the red brick walls of the Lion Arts Factory soared, the room heaving with collective excitement. The moment lead singer Rob Damiani stormed the stage wearing an Adelaide Crows guernsey, the crowd erupted in a roar of approval. He was joined on stage by drummer and dual vocalist Matt Donnelly, guitarist Simon Delaney, and bassist Tom Doyle. Launching into the iconic opening line of ‘Everybody,’ "No one's ever seen me like this...", the entire room became a unified force, screaming every word from the very first note.

Damiani's stage presence is something to behold; he’s a frontman who embodies genuine enjoyment, and this is a band that looks to be relishing every moment on stage, playing a catalogue of songs to this audience for the first time - one enthusiastic audience member screaming “I’ve waited 16 years for this”. The set was a perfect example of their musical diversity, a genre-bending blend that connects with a diverse fanbase well beyond heavy and alternative audiences, much like other modern acts such as Sleep Token, Bilmuri, and Bad Omens. Early on, they unleashed ‘Cellophane,’ one of their newest singles. With its powerful bassline and heavy riffs, the intro of the song could easily be mistaken for a KoRn track. Despite being released only weeks ago, the crowd reacted to it like an old favourite.

Don Broco’s crowd interaction and emotional connection stood out through the performance. During ‘Gumshield,’ Damiani highlighted that his voice was struggling (though it was impossible to tell, as every song sounded flawless) and asked the crowd to support him by taking on some of the vocal duties. They responded in kind, turning the moment into a powerful singalong. Introducing ‘Uber,’ Damiani used the moment to speak on the importance of fighting racism, hate, and injustice.  

After the ferocity of ‘Uber,’ Damiani took a moment to rest his voice. Channeling Winnie the Pooh and demanding honey, one of the crew came on stage to squirt a tube of honey directly into his mouth. This moment of genuine fun was a perfect segue into ‘One True Prince,’ a song that shifted the mood entirely. With its Deftones-esque feel, the track slowed the crowd down into a unified sway and singalong, highlighting yet another facet of the band’s incredible range. This journey, from explosive energy to sincere vulnerability, is the hallmark of a truly great live performance.

The crowd, still smarting from the earlier failed wall of death attempt, didn’t hold back across the night, with multiple circle pits and a true wall of death, delivering redemption.

The journey continued right to the very end. The set closed with the second of their new singles, ‘Hype Man,’ which once again leaned into their heavier side. The song was a powerful statement on the reception of their new material, proving that the crowd was ready to embrace their evolution. It was also the first time Damiani’s voice became noticeably scratchy as he took on the song’s ferocious screams.

The band returned to the stage for a much-demanded encore. Taking a moment to address the crowd, Damiani revealed they had just finished the last of their new album and spoke with genuine gratitude about how much it meant to be able to play these songs for the audience. "This connection is everything. Thank you so fucking much," he declared.  

It was sad to see the set end, but it was impossible not to leave with a massive smile as the chorus of ‘T-Shirt Song’ was screamed across the room:

"They're saying there's one song left
‍No time for no regrets
‍I take my T-Shirt off
‍Swing it around my head
‍Same night you drove me to smoke
‍A whole pack of cigarettes
‍Same night you done me over, I
‍Wouldn't be who I'd be
‍Be who I'd be without you"

Review & Gallery by Daniel Hill @No.Quiet.Photography. Please credit Wall Of Sound and Daniel Hill if you repost photos.

Setlist

Everybody
Pretty
Cellophane
Come out to LA
Gumshield
Uber
One True Prince
Manchester Super Reds No.1 Fan
You Wanna Know
Bruce Willis
Superlove
Endorphins
Hype Man

Encore

T-Shirt Song