For those who are regulars at gigs in the heavier music scene, you will be well versed in how things tend to go when the Cookie Monster or Elmo decides to turn up. Tonight was one of those nights. Circle pits, crowd surfers and high energy were on the menu, and Portsmouth Guildhall was more than ready for it.
Opening the night was Ando San, making his first appearance in the UK ahead of his first UK headline show in London later this week. Blending hip hop, rap and metal, his sound made him a perfect choice to kick things off for Don Broco. His genre crossing style brought something a little different to the bill, setting the tone for an evening that promised plenty of variety alongside the heavier moments.
Next up were Unpeople, a band that have been rapidly gaining momentum and building a reputation for bringing chaos wherever they go. They certainly lived up to that reputation tonight. With their new album due for release at midnight, there was a real sense of excitement in the room, and the band made the most of it. They closed their set in spectacular fashion, with guitarist Jake Crawford venturing into the crowd, climbing onto a crowd member’s shoulders and playing guitar from the middle of a circle pit. It was a fitting end to a set that kept the energy levels high and the anticipation building.
Finally, it was time for Don Broco. Having seen plenty of gigs in Portsmouth, I know that local crowds do not always deliver the rowdiest atmosphere, so there was some curiosity about how the audience would respond. Any doubts disappeared quickly. This was easily the loudest Portsmouth crowd I had heard in some time.
The set opened with an atmospheric acoustic performance of True Believers by Simon Delaney, offering a brief moment of calm before the band launched straight into Nightmare Tripping, from their recent album. From there, there was little opportunity to catch a breath. The songs flowed seamlessly into one another, keeping the momentum firmly in place and giving the crowd every reason to stay on their feet.
Everybody proved to be a particular highlight, with the audience singing and shouting along so loudly that they almost rivalled the band themselves. Between the circle pits, crowd surfers and constant movement, the Guildhall felt like a venue transformed by the sheer enthusiasm in the room.
With three acts bringing their own flavour to the evening, the build up to Don Broco’s headline set worked perfectly. And when the band finally took centre stage, they delivered the kind of performance that reminded everyone why they remain such an exciting live act.
Portsmouth certainly brought its ‘A’ game tonight, and Don Broco gave the crowd plenty to shout about.