It was a close call. On a Wednesday evening, the thought of making the trek out to Middlesbrough almost lost to convenience, but the chance to see DMA’S perform an intimate outstore set for their new album at The Empire was something I simply couldn’t miss.
Stepping into the venue felt less like entering a gig and more like being invited into the band’s own living room. Stripping away the stadium-sized production, the boys returned to their busking roots to deliver a fully acoustic musical journey. They took us on a journey through the years and made me feel like the exact same girl who fell in love with their music a decade ago. It brought tears to my eyes more than once, and not just me, the room lapped up every single note.
Hearing the tracks in such a stripped-back format allowed their incredible storytelling to take centre stage. ‘My Baby’s Place’ hit particularly close to home; to me, it tells a beautiful story of returning to a space of complete comfort and finding your way back “home”. Then came ‘Hurricane’, which showcased their stunning, soft indie vibe and proved that DMA’S are still mastering the art of simple yet deeply effective song writing. The set list also highlighted just how strong their latest material is, with new tracks like ‘Windows’ already standing tall alongside their all-time classics.
The emotional peak of the night came through the crowd’s connection to the music. ‘Step Up the Morphine’ was raw, incredibly moving, and hit straight to the chest in acoustic form. And then there was ‘Lay Down’; the undeniable hit that launched them into indie stardom years ago. Without a mosh pit in sight, the crowd transformed the anthem into something far deeper, with every single person in the room singing along with every ounce of emotion they had. It was a beautiful testament to DMA’S’ enduring power, proving that stripped of all noise, their songs are timeless.
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