Performing an album in its entirety is a popular move for veteran acts with at least one classic, not a young band with two moderately heralded long players. However, on alternating nights, Bedford’s Don Broco are touring their 2012 debut, Priorities, and last year’s Automatic. It’s an intriguing gambit which does unfortunately highlight an apparent identity crisis between the amiably chugging, post-hardcore, Bring Me the Horizon-supporting rockers of their debut, and their more scrubbed up recent incarnation, who bagged an arena support slot with pop-punk boyband 5 Seconds of Summer.
This being Priorities night, singer Rob Damiani’s cry of “How ya doin’, Leeeeeeeeeds?” is greeted by a sea of surging, air-punching moshers who sing along with almost every word. The band’s Bastille-sized choruses and lyrics such as “we’ll never get fat, ’cause we jump around like prats” have a direct line to the soul of the boisterous, sweaty, tattooed teen. A ceiling pipe malfunction which showers everyone with water prompts further rejoicing.
It really isn’t high art, but the vested frontman is something of a plummier, Bedfordshire Dave Gahan, impressively conducting affairs like a musical gym instructor. The odd unlikely 80s jazz-funk lick aside, the music mostly sticks to default mode. At some point, they’ll probably have to decide a course and stick with it, but perhaps they can unite their conflicted fan base. When Damiani yells, “Who’s coming tomorrow?” at least half the audience raise their hands in glee.
- At the Key Club, Leeds, 4 August. Then touring.
