LIVE REVIEW: Don Broco @ Prospect Building, Bristol

An electric atmosphere greets us in Bristol tonight as DON BROCO roll into the industrial warehouse setting of Prospect Building. Having last graced the O2 Academy in Bristol, the band are back on the road, armed with their new album Nightmare Tripping and a set that promises plenty of their trademark upbeat, mosh-ready anthems. But before the headliners bring the chaos, there are two bands tasked with getting the crowd warmed up. And, as we’re about to discover, some are better equipped for the job than others.

First up, American hip-hop-rock outfit ANDO SAN bring a funky blend of R&B beats and rap vocals to the stage. On record, there’s plenty to get stuck into, with layers of groove and genre-blending production giving their material a distinctive edge. Live, however, things don’t quite hit the same way. With ANDO SAN largely planted behind a microphone and guitar – even when he’s not playing it – the stage presence feels somewhat lacking. As an opening act, it’s not the strongest start. There might be a few new fans heading home with ANDO SAN added to their chilled-out playlist, but the set only manages to mildly warm up the room rather than set it alight.

Ultimately, ANDO SAN are one of those acts whose recorded material makes a bigger impact than their live show. The intricacies and layers of the mix get lost in the live environment, and with some key elements missing from the performance, the result falls short of the explosive start tonight’s bill needs.

Rating: 6/10

Thankfully, things take a sharp turn upwards with UNPEOPLE. Having stormed onto the scene over the past couple of years, their high-octane rock is tailor-made for a room like this. Where the opening act struggled to get things moving, UNPEOPLE have the crowd jumping from the off. This is a band that knows exactly how to put on a show. The energy is relentless, the tunes are infectious, and before long, we’ve got a proper mosh pit brewing. We even witness the first crowd-surfer of the night.

Four-part harmonies add another dimension to their sound, giving the heavier moments an extra punch while showcasing a band with plenty more going on than just riffs and breakdowns. Throw in some brilliant facial expressions and an infectious sense of fun, and it’s hard not to get swept up in the performance. As the set approaches its finale, beach balls bounce their way through the crowd, adding another dose of chaos to an already lively room. UNPEOPLE don’t just warm up the audience; they get it primed and ready for the carnage to come. If there was ever any doubt about their suitability for the main support slot, it’s well and truly put to bed. Unpeople have arrived, and they’re not here to mess about.

Rating: 9/10

Opening a headline set with an acoustic melody is certainly a choice. But if DON BROCO‘s intention is to lull everyone into a false sense of security, it works a treat. Anyone who’s been to a DON BROCO show before knows that calm is usually the last thing on the menu. The band waste little time turning the atmosphere on its head, launching into a set that has bodies moving in every direction. Kicking things off with a couple of singles from the new album before diving into Gumshield.

A huge pit opens up, although with everyone dancing, jumping and throwing themselves around, it’s difficult to tell where the mosh pit begins and the rest of the crowd ends. That’s the beauty of DON BROCO: their shows aren’t just about the heavy moments. They’re about getting absolutely everyone involved. From there, it’s a relentless mix of old and new, with the band seamlessly weaving fresh material into a back catalogue packed with fan favourites. Even the deeper cuts get a huge response, with the crowd singing along at every opportunity. It’s clear that, over the years, DON BROCO have built themselves a fiercely dedicated fanbase.

And it’s not hard to see why the band have stuck around for so long. Their knack for combining upbeat hooks, massive singalong choruses and moments of sheer, unfiltered stupidity makes for a live experience that’s difficult to replicate. Whether you’re screaming along to a huge chorus or shouting phrases like “Yippee-ki-yay, motherfucker”, there’s never a shortage of things to throw yourself into. Despite thousands of people packed into the venue, there are moments when the performance feels almost intimate, as though DON BROCO are playing in your living room – albeit a living room where the furniture has been launched through the window and everyone’s lost their voice.

For the final song, Hype Man, members of ANDO SAN and UNPEOPLE join the band on stage, bringing the tour to a suitably chaotic close. With everyone getting involved in Rob Damiani‘s trademark stomp, the stage becomes a celebration of the tour itself, with the night’s support acts getting one last moment in the spotlight. ANDO SAN, in particular, seem to find another gear alongside DON BROCO, with the collaborative energy giving them a chance to shine in a different setting.

It’s a fitting way to close out the final night of the tour: a room full of bouncing bodies, a stage full of musicians and a band that knows exactly how to leave its audience wanting more. DON BROCO don’t need bells and whistles to put on a show. They just need a room full of people, a stack of massive tunes and permission to let absolute chaos reign. Bristol gets all three tonight.

Rating: 10/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Bristol from Serena Hill Photography here: 

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