DANCE GAVIN DANCE - BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE, 13 JANUARY 2023

BY SAMMIE LYNCH

Dance Gavin Dance, the Sacramento, Californian band who put their own artistic spin on metal and post hardcore, headed to the UK on their aptly named ‘Reborn in the U.K.’ tour. They stop at the O2 Institute in Birmingham, much to the delight of the adoring fans, who chant Tilian Pearson’s name during the first few songs, which marks a welcome return for the vocalist. It really does seem like the band feel right back at home on the stage, united once again and ready to rock.

The night kicks off with support from Eidola and Rain City Drive, leaving a buzzing crowd who cheer the roof off even during the mic check before Dance Gavin Dance grace the stage. There is such an intense energy in the room in anticipation of the band coming on to the stage already that when the crew do the classic ‘Mic check, one, two, one, two’, and finish it off with ‘What’s up Birmingham?’ the crowd immediately replies with a cheer so loud the other side of Birmingham would have heard.

Head-bopping, dancing, crowd-surfing, you name it, this evening with Dance Gavin Dance has everything going on, with smiles plastered all over the room. They initially lift off in style with the opener ‘Chucky vs. The Giant Tortoise’ from their 2016 album ‘Mothership’. Displaying some epic dance moves from both vocalists, TIlian, with his crazy - talented vocal range that, when paired with co-vocalist Jon Mess’ deeper growls and chaotic screams, leave you intoxicated and wanting more.

Describing the crowd in Birmingham as the best of the tour so far, the band recognise that this crowd ‘really want to party’. Feeding off this powerful vibe emanating from the fans, the band kick things up a notch as they go into high gear with tracks like ‘For The Jeers’ and ‘Pop Off!’ from their latest album, ‘Jackpot Juicer’, which also happens to be the stunning backdrop on stage for this tour.

These guys really know how to perform with the crowd, leading everyone on a journey throughout this set as things slow down when tears form as Andrew Wells mentions their next song ‘Count Bassy’ from their 2018 album ‘Artificial Selection’, dedicating it to their dear friend and former bassist Tim Feerick, who sadly passed away last year. The end of this particular song sees the band finish the song with just them and the lyrics, no instruments and just the resounding ‘da da da’ being sung by the crowd in a truly heartfelt moment, just a few songs before the end of the night.

An engaging and fun show, songs ‘We Own The Night’ and ‘Man Of The Year’ kick things back into high gear as they finish off the evening, thanking both their support bands and feeding off the love and vibes within the room throughout the entire night. As the band walk off stage, the lights remain down and the classic ‘One more song’ chant begins in the crowd, accompanied by stomping that radiates through the floor, showing just how much admiration the band have from their fans. As the band come back onstage, Tilian thanks the crowd once more as they play a final song,‘Inspire The Liars’, again from the ‘Mothership’ album, bringing the setlist full circle, finishing the evening with yet more guitar shredding from both Will Swan and Andrew Wells, hard-hitting drums from Matt Mingus and the intense, yet dreamy, vocals of Tilian Pearson and Jon Mess, alongside the talented Sergio Medina on bass, who also plays in Eidola. It is very clear that Dance Gavin Dance are glad to be back on the road here in the UK and grateful for the fans, as they thank everyone throughout the evening. The fans here in Birmingham are just as thankful and we all cannot wait for them to come back again soon!