Live Review: DMA's, The Creases

The Brightside is filling up comfortably as local lads The Creases hit the stage to rapturous appreciation from the hardcore hipster following the four attract by what seems like the really big bus-load.

That’s neither an attack nor a surprise, the band look like they’ve stepped right out of a live action reincarnation of an Archie comic, their animated stage presence and forthright charisma is as infectious as the music itself – bassist Jarrod Mahon moves something like a man-swan, such is his grace, while frontman Joe Agius’ cool is not to be penetrated for the duration of the set.

But the chemistry between the four – and subsequently between the four and the crowd themselves – is impalpable and, despite woeful audio problems, the quartet power through an undeniable set of brilliantly-executed pop songs. The band is accompanied by a four-piece “choir” of ladies – familiar faces if you’re a Brismusic watcher – who lend harmonies to the first part of the set. Despite a discography of only one EP, the set is impeccable with the obvious – singles I Won’t Wait and Static Lines and EP title track Gradient – providing the greatest of moments.

As DMA’s emerge, the room is overflowing and the band slam the stage, immediately leaping into one of their best tunes Feels Like 37 and instantly wrapping everyone around their little finger.

Appearing as a six-piece is the initial surprise, the second being how fucking good they deliver each and every tune, an undeniable trait considering their potentially polarising presence and presentation and whatever foolish Oasis-comparison one can muster. However, DMA’s possess the ultimate, not-so-secret weapon: songs. And boy, what a catalogue they have so far, so impressive for a group that seemingly emerged about 15 minutes ago. It’s all delivered with unfailing gusto, until a mid-set highlight that sees just the three actual DMA’s onstage alone with acoustic guitars for newly-dropped ballad So We Know and one of the year’s best tunes, Delete, with sing-along proportions scaling a supersized Wonderwall calibre. 

It’s truly incredible to see a band appear seemingly out of nowhere, sell out a room even of this size and raise such a thunderous reaction so early in their career – hopefully a good taste of ongoing things to come.