Live Review :: DMA’S + The BOHOs :: O2 Academy, Liverpool - May 4 2017

Live 

DMA’S + The BOHOs

O2 Academy, Liverpool 

May 4 2017

Words/Pictures: Lewis Ridley

When a certain Alex Turner coined the phrase “don’t believe the hype” before they ripped into their first big hit, it set off a trend to keep a lid on positive opinions until a band had really asserted themselves. This is often detrimental to bands in a similar position to DMA’S.

On Thursday night in Liverpool the band from Sydney played their latest gig as part of their extensive tour on UK shores.
Supporting were local band The BOHOs [interviewed by Little Indie here last month], lead singer Fin Power (the son of Cast’s John Power) dons a t-shirt out of Bold Street’s Resurrection. He is the feature piece of the band and leads the front section of the crowd into manic celebration at each song. ‘Monday Morning’ is where drummer Jack Danily really shows off. The live sound the four make is far from tentative, and they tear through their set like a group of young lads chomping at the bit to be Liverpool’s hometown heroes. Give them a year or so and they may well be.

When the lights drop for DMA’S there’s a lot of expectation in the air. Tommy O’Dell appears like a mischievous kid wearing his cap and polo, or could that be Mike Skinner on his total result of a holiday in 2004? First song ‘Play It Out’ has the venue rocking, and their likeness to Oasis resonates with me. Their recorded sound doesn’t draw similarities but the relationship between O’Dell and Matt Mason is similar to the one that drove the Manchester band through the 90s. O’Dell is in Liam Gallagher/Ian Brown mode with his tambourine shaking by his side. ‘In The Moment’ and ‘Step Up The Morphine’ allow him to monkey man his way around the stage before Mason departs and their hit ‘Delete’ creates an incredible atmosphere.

To doubt the talent of DMA’S now seems peculiar, it’s obvious they’re good enough to stand on the pedestal both the Aussie and UK scene has built for them. In fact, is one of the best live performances I’ve seen for a long time. O'Dell's cheeky accent gives thanks to the crowd as a reminder that they’re from Sydney and not St. Helens. The reaction of a delighted crowd makes you forget they’re 17,000 miles from home.

‘Lay Down’ is the final song of the set, and as bodies fall over the front barrier the band stroll off stage, rightly convinced they’ve bossed another night of their tour. These lads are the real deal, there’s no doubt, and I can’t wait for what they do next.