DMA’S perform to a sold out crowd at Electric Ballroom in London.

It is an Australian night at Camden’s Electric Ballroom this Monday evening as London-based Aussie infused Splashh warm up the crowd for Sydney’s very own DMA’S.

After Splashh do an exquisite job with kicking off the set and trying out new material along the way, it is time for DMA’S. The anticipation is glittering in the air as the light dims and loud cheers arise. Next, the men of the night enter the stage.

The band opens with guitar blazing Play It Out making the crowd beyond excited. Their guitar driven tunes are drenched with a nostalgic taste of 90’s Britpop and an unmistakable similarity to Oasis that you cannot quite overcome. As they venture into the third song, Straight Dimensions, it is already clear that all DMA’S do, this sold out night will be surely well received. Their balanced mixture of an acoustic guitar and electronic backdrop give the throwback feel a modern wrapping.

There is a reason why tonight’s gig has sold out, DMA’s give everything and more to please the thousand people who’ve turned up to see them. Four tunes in, the band finally introduces themselves, though no introduction seems to be needed.

In The Moment is a towering song with a singalong factor to match. On the other hand, Too Soon has the crowd go bonkers with reckless abandon and enthusiasm. If you thought these guys would do a cover song, Madonna’s Beautiful Stranger wouldn’t even make my guess, so it’s surprising as the well-know chords reach the crowd.

Singer Tommy O’Dell‘s distinctive vocals carry out like a red string throughout their set. The sound roots in a foundation of three guitars, all held together with a solid percussion. Though the audience interaction is held at a bare minimum this works in DMA’S favour. The focus, both for the band and the fans, seems to lay on the songs and the group’s stoic yet sincere live performance truly reflects this.

Attempts of mosh-pitting come across more as the crowd is cuddling in guitar-laid setting of the evening. It is not a shame in sticking to what you know and though you can argue that DMA’S set may appear as unvaried, the guys do their thing rather well. At their most upbeat guitar moments you sense some Travis vibe whilst other tunes have you wondering if Britpop and Oasis are still a modern thing.

O’Dell looks beyond pleased as he leans on the mic stand in a blissful haze, well aware that he by now has the entire room in the palm of his hand. With the track So We Know the band hits an acoustic triumph of a singalong. A beautiful moment of intimacy between the Australian formation and their all adoring fans. It’s just O’Dell and Johnny Took’s guitar that exist.

Their outstanding offering Delete has the whole room consumed in a sea of reaching hands when the melodic tune sets a well rounded end to the main set.

The band barely has time to leave the stage before public demand drags them back on stage. DMA’S return for an encore spinning more loose-laid riffs of Laced and the crowd is joining in a collective jumping. “You know you want it”, O’Dell sings, and it’s clear that yes, this crowd wants everything and more as they embrace DMA’S with open arms.

“See you again next time fuckers,” O’Dell states with the attitude to match the Britpop vibe. As they finish off the set with triumph tune, Lay Down, it is clear that though it might not be for everyone, DMA’S have put on a hell of a gig tonight.

Photos: Aurora Henni Krogh