“There was a naivety in the air because no one knew it was going to be their last show for a very long time.”
Almost a year to the day, the DMA’S stepped on stage at the O2 Academy in Brixton. A sold-out mass of bodies erupted into chants and the DMA’S ripped into the first single of a knockout set with ‘Feels Like 37’.
Looking back now, it must have been an explosive moment. The energy, the excitement and from what you can hear on the album, the absolute adoration for good live music. Unfortunately, the adrenaline was short-lived and eaten away by the national lockdown.
Nevertheless, with the release of their new album ‘Live at Brixton’, the band are hoping to remedy this with all 17 live tracks open for new and old listeners to divulge in.
For the DMA’S England has become a second home, with many fans mistaking the trio for brits themselves. Having toured with Liam Gallagher and supported the likes of Kasabian and The Courteeners the trio have made a name for themselves and even been granted the onery brit title.
Their amass of fans is exponential and after the success of ‘The Glow’, which reached number 4 in the UK charts; the fan base is still growing.
However, coming quite literally from the other side of the world is no easy task. The jet lag (which Mason combats using a rather expensive app), the new places and the overarching element of the unknown.
Safe to say none of it stopped the DMA’S who have thrived both back home and in England becoming a success story of their own right. Then with additional expansion from a three-piece to a six-piece when touring, they can double their sound and ultimately success with the ‘Live a Brixton’ gig available to confirm this.
Guitarist Johnny Took said: “There was a sense of irony to it because our first ever show was in London supporting The Courteeners.
“Five years later, going back and being able to do our own show there has been pretty special”
The album is a play by play of just how special this moment was for anyone unfortunate enough to miss out on it. Over 5000 voices catalyse the bands every word, sending out a sonic shockwave that can be felt even a year on from the gig.
He added: “We got the first mix back and we asked them to turn the crowd noise up. I like hearing the crowd in live recordings and if you don’t want to…just listen to the actual recording.”
You’re flying through the set list with an eagerness and excitement that’s usually reserved for live performances, but this practically is. It completely sums up what we are all missing, not just from the bands but from the crowds too, battling with the band to get their voices heard. ‘Live at Brixton’ is iconic, featuring timeless hits from their earlier days ‘Delete’ and newer sounds from ‘The Glow’, either way all tracks are all met with more than open arms by the crowds and those listening now.
Johnny continued: “There was a naivety in the air because no one knew it was going to be their last show for a very long time. Now I see people posting on Twitter saying little did they know that would be their last major show.
“I guess that this [album] is, it is just getting everyone excited again for when everything clears up and we can get a little bit back to normal.”
It is a bittersweet fix that ends too soon – so thank god for the repeat button. It brings back a nostalgia that we didn’t know we had but with the knowledge that live music could return soon, it is safe to say that the DMA’S have our full attention.
On that note, the DMA’S will be making their long-awaited return to the UK in April 2021 followed by a series of major outdoor summertime shows and having heard this album, it is no surprise that many of the venues have already sold out. So, grab whatever tickets you can and sing your heart out to Australia’s finest, the DMA’S.