Review: DMA's, O2 Institute, Birmingham

With baggy clothes and acoustic led sing-a-long anthems it's almost impossible not to compare the Newtown band to our very own Oasis or The Charlatans.

But to fob them off as Gallagher copycats would be wrong – DMA's evoke the 1990s euphoria in their own unique way.

This year has since the band explode into the UK following the release of their debut album Hills End in March and a secret set at Glastonbury in June.

And last night they packed-out the second room in the O2 Institute in Digbeth.

Coming on to a highly anticipating crowd, DMA'S kicked-off the evening's affairs with Play It Out which instantly got the tiny venue jumping with joy.

Before irritably cool acoustic guitarist Johnny Took smashed through fan favourite Feel Like 37 from their debut EP.

The Aussies flew through the relatively short set, bellowing their Britpop beats Too Soon, and In The Moment as they had the youthful crowd fully locked-in.

While a cover of the Madonna's hit Beautiful Stranger was a pleasant surprise as they made the hit 1990 their own.

Despite the small venue, DMA's songs made the show feel intimate.

The likes of So We Know and ballad Delete were standout as flurries of fans took to each other's shoulders, pointing and bellowing each lyric straight back at them for the latter, creating an incredible energy which flowed throughout the room.

For the encore, they ended with singles Laced, and biggest hit Lay down, kick-starting with the instantly recognisable drum before the audience jumped about in frenzy – a fitting end to the night.

You get the indication that 2016 is just the start for DMA's – and we can only expect even bigger things from Tommy, Matt, Johnny and co in the near future. Bring it on.

By Tom Oakley