DON BROCO PERFORMING AT SOUTHAMPTON’S ENGINE ROOMS

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

DON BROCO PERFORMING AT SOUTHAMPTON’S ENGINE ROOMS
PHOTOCREDIT: CHARIS LYDIA BAGIOKI

It is Download weekend coming up soon and the whole country is already getting ready to attend one of the biggest festivals of the UK. Amongst the bands of the bill in 2025 are none other than Bedford-hailing rockers Don Broco, who are set to perform on the festival’s main stage on Saturday. Yet, before their Apex Stage debut, they have chosen to do a mini tour in the UK to hype people up before their set, supported by another festival-touring band, Dead Pony.

Dead Pony, originally from Glasgow, have very quickly carved out their own path in the rock scene, with a lot of pop-punk energy and rawness. They have a fierce and dynamic stage presence that engaged the audience early on, with people even singing along to a few songs through the set. Their setlist was short but punchy, including songs such as ‘Walk On’, ‘Boom’, ‘MK Nothing’, and songs from their newest album such as ‘RAINBOWS’ and ‘Cobra’. It was obvious through the set that the band knows the waves they are causing – whether that is because of awards won or their Nirvana/Paramore inspirations that keep the audience hooked – they brought a lot of grunginess, hard rock, blues and rage into their performance. Safe to say, there couldn’t have been a better choice as an opener for the gig. Did I also mention that Dead Pony are playing the Avalanche Stage at Download on Friday? Well, make sure to catch them there.

Blue lights bathed the venue as Don Broco took the stage shortly after, with a light show behind them creating a visual atmosphere that definitely left an impression. The genre-blending band is a fan favourite amongst rockers, and despite the intimacy of their set, the room was full all the way to the exit. It was the perfect set for the high-intensity connection the band can build with their audience through their songs, and it was clear from the first minute that the crowd was wild for the songs that were performed.

Don Broco have mastered the ‘no-filler’ song setlist, treating their audience to songs such as ‘Everybody’, ‘Come out to LA’, ‘ACTION’, ‘Endorphins’, ‘Superlove’ – that was sung along word-for-word – ‘You Wanna Know’ and ‘Nerve’. The crowd was going feral over the band’s moves on stage, whilst their frontman kept the audience engaged with banter regarding Bedford, and their previous experiences playing in Southampton. They looked extremely happy to be in the rook and performing for their fans, whilst they truly seem proud of themselves for playing the main stage at Download because it was mentioned more than once. The band even spoiled a bit of the setlist they have curated for their festival appearance – songs that they have kept exclusively for the festival. In the midst of it all, they also admitted that they are working on new material which they will play live soon and when it’s ready.

The set ended with a short encore of ‘Fingernails’ and ‘T-Shirt Song’ that had people jumping up and down until the very end. For those looking to attend the rest of their small tour or their Download appearance – you’re in for a treat. Expect energetic and meticulously crafted riffs, a buzzing crowd, sing-along choruses and adrenaline that will go through the roof!