Show Review: Don Broco - New York City, 10/18 | Webster Hall

Wednesday, October 18th was the night that Don Broco took over Webster Hall with a sold-out show in the city that never sleeps, New York City.

I first heard of Don Broco in 2018 after stumbling across their track “What You Wanna Know.” I instantly became a fan. 5 years and 4 shows later, after seeing them open for bands Sleeping with Sirens, The Used, and Pierce the Veil, I was now catching them for the first time as a headliner for their Amazing Things tour in honor of their album, “Amazing Things”, which was released in 2021. The show boasted an incredible lineup from start to finish, giving us The Color 8, Ryan Oakes, The Home Team, and last but certainly not least, Don Broco.

The Color 8, a band hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, was the first to step onto the stage. They immediately got the crowd’s attention with their song “Rent Free,” an alternative track with rap and metal elements. The Color 8 dominated the stage with their presence and the crowd quickly matched their energy, opening a pit during the first song. The audience was a diverse mix of new and old fans of the band, but by the end of their set, the entire crowd was chanting their name.

Next up was Ryan Oakes, Virginia-born and Los Angeles-based vocalist, rapper, multi-instrumentalist, and artist. While I had never heard Ryan Oakes before today, I found myself bobbing and dancing to each song along with others. As the only solo artist on the stage, Ryan completely captivated the crowd with his lyricism and musicality. Unfortunately, Ryan Oakes has just finished his half of the tour, with Skyler Acord now joining the lineup for the second portion, so if you missed him, be sure to catch him on his next tour.

Third up was the highly anticipated, Seattle-based four-piece band, The Home Team. Their heavy pop-rock sound overwhelmed the room and had fans losing it just from the raw vocals of Brian Butcher as “Slow Bloom” began. The Home Team’s stage presence was energetic and captivating. Brian Butcher expressed immense gratitude to the fans, the tour, and Don Broco. The atmosphere buzzed with high energy as fans enjoyed each song of the set. This energy lingered as The Home Team’s set ended, and fans stood in place, waiting in anticipation for the headliner.

The lights dimmed for the fourth and final time, making fans scream in anticipation as it was finally time for the headliner. Each member walked out one by one as the familiar sound of electronic synth began to play, signaling to fans the beginning of “Gumshield,” one of my personal favorites. Rob Damiani, lead singer of Don Broco, was the last to appear. The first line of “Gumshield” resonated throughout the venue, and it was time for the show to begin.

The band played songs never played before in New York City, like “Uber” and “Manchester Super Red No.1 Fan,” both from the Amazing Things album. During a brief moment where the band took some time to talk to the crowd, Rob introduced their touring guitarist, Marc Okubo, who was playing for Simon Delaney, who was unfortunately unable to make it. While Simon was greatly missed, Marc stepped up and brought all the energy onto the stage.

After moshing around in a pit, the setlist turned towards their pop-punk side as the band began to perform “Automatic,” giving fans a chance to dance. The fun beat, accompanied by solid belts and high falsetto notes, reminded fans that Rob Diamani’s vocals are a force to be reckoned with. One also can’t forget the vocals of drummer and backing vocalist, Matt Donnely, which always adds a dimension of vitality to the band’s already exhilarating performance.

Next up was “Pretty,” another fan favorite, but right before starting, the lead singer looked out into the crowd, lowered his red sunglasses briefly, and pointed out two fans. Why did they stick out? Turns out they had come from Bedford, UK, the same place Don Broco is from. With this revelation, the energy was high, and Rob dedicated the song to them. The bass strumming during the bridge performed by Tom Doyle is always one of my favorite highlights of the track. The moshpit grew as the song progressed, even giving us one of many walls of death of the night.

It was time to slow things down and turn the cell phone lights on for one of their most heartfelt songs, “One True Prince.” As the lights reflected against the disco ball above us, creating the illusion of stars all around, Rob talked to the crowd again, reminding fans of the meaning behind “One True Prince.” The song reminds him that “we’re all just pieces of stardust floating through space.” When things happen, all we can do is get back up and keep going. If I said I didn’t get emotional at both the song and the sight around me, that would be a lie.

Several more songs played after, like one of the crowd favorites, “Bruce Willis,” and even one of their older tracks, “Action.” The crowd screamed, moshed, danced, and expended all their energy; the banana man and spider man were definitely among the more exhausted few. The night was swiftly ending, and even after almost ten songs, fans didn’t want the show to end.

Right before their final song, Rob brought all touring members onto the stage, The Color 8, Ryan Oakes, and The Home Team, to close out the show with the new remix of “Birthday Party.” Each feature of the song brought something special and brought it to the next level. The band members let loose, giving off an infectious energy that the fans fed off as the moshpit grew with each passing note.

The song ended, the bands dispersed, and fans stood in the pit with the lights off all around them. Slowly but surely, fans began to chant “encore” and “one more song.” Of course, Don Broco wasn’t done just yet.

The deep guitar hum and drumline from “Fingernails” began, and the band reemerged. Cheering roared throughout as the atmosphere became raw and intense, complementing the heaviness of “Fingernails.” To my surprise, “Fingernails” was a lower pitch live than the original soundtrack, but this change reminded me of the band’s remarkable live versatility. In a previous interview, Rob Diamanti mentioned that “Fingernails” was one of their most challenging songs to perform live because of the high pitch the song was written in. Even with the pitch change, the band owned the stage.

Last but not least, there was no way that the night would end without “T-Shirt Song,” one of their most iconic songs. Fans cheered louder than at any other point of the night and instinctively knew what to do as shirts began swinging in the air. All over the venue, you could see shirts spinning in one direction or the other as Rob’s passionate vocals reverberated around the hall. Fans lived in the moment and embraced the memories Don Broco had given us that night. Both the band and fans could feel how monumental this tour has been and how powerful music is.

As the show ended, the white lights turned on, and fans slowly trickled out, each clamoring about the event. I was reminded why Don Broco is easily one of my favorite bands. Their dynamic musicality and versatility electrify any audience, giving each person an Amazing experience.

The Amazing Things tour is going strong, with the second leg just beginning. Fans can expect to see supporting acts from The Color 8, Skyler Acord, and The Home Team. Tickets to some cities are going fast, with some even sold out, so check out the list of remaining dates and see one of the most Amazing tours traveling the States right now.

Check out the full gallery of Don Broco at Webster Hall below!