DON BROCO

Known for their boisterous, melodic hard rock, alternative outfit Don Broco made their full-length debut with Priorities in 2012. A Top 25 hit in their native U.K., the band bested its chart position with 2015′s Automatic and 2018′s Technology, which reached number six and five, respectively. Don Broco’s chart-topping fourth studio album, 2021′s Amazing Things, underscored the heavier direction of its predecessor with an angrier lyrical tone. In 2023, the band captured the potency of their concert performances on Live from the Royal Albert Hall. Don Broco formed in Bedford, England in 2008. The members of the four-piece met at Bedford Modern School, and after playing in different bands, vocalist Rob Damiani began writing music with Simon Delaney (guitar), Matt Donnelly (drums/vocals), and Luke Rayner (bass). They made a tenuous start and managed to play a few shows before each member left for university. At this turning point, they made a pact to return after they graduated and concentrate on the band. Once they had finished university in 2009, they booked more shows across the country and played in Leeds, Birmingham, and Manchester. This exposure led them to prestigious appearances at Camden Crawl and the Download Festival before the end of the year, as well as a coveted support slot with post-hardcore outfit Enter Shikari. In 2010 they released the self-recorded single “Dreamboy” and continued their relentless touring schedule. During 2011, the band recorded and released the Big Fat Smile EP. The six-track mini-album was well-received by publications such as Kerrang and Rock Sound and started to garner a buzz among fans. Their boisterous, melodic rock scored them their first headlining tour, a clutch of high-profile gigs with Deaf Havana, and a host of festival appearances at Sonisphere, Slam Dunk, Hevy Festival, and a return to Download in 2011. The following winter, Rayner left the band due to increasing commitments, and longtime friend and bassist Tom Doyle took his place. Following continued support and their growing reputation, they signed a deal with Search & Destroy — a venture between Sony Music and Raw Power Management — in early 2012. Their debut album, Priorities, was released a few months later, with the bravado and confidence of a band with years of experience. Their influences are easily recognizable — Young Guns and Funeral for a Friend are audible — but the full-length album allowed their dynamic songwriting to flourish. The band released a single, “You Wanna Know,” in the summer of 2013 and hit the Top 40 of the U.K. Singles Chart for the first time. Using most of 2014 to prepare their second long-player, they returned in 2015 with an expanded style demonstrating funk, dance, and new wave influences. Produced by Grammy winner Jason Perry, the driving Automatic was released by Epic Records that summer. The following year the group went out on tour in Europe with Bring Me the Horizon, as well as supporting 5 Seconds of Summer on their Sounds Live Feels Live world tour. After parting ways with Sony, the four-piece signed to SharpTone, who reissued Automatic in the U.S. and Canada. In 2017, the band returned to the studio to record their third album. Taking inspiration from their live performances, the heavier-sounding Technology was issued at the beginning of 2018. The group returned in 2021 for fourth LP Amazing Things, which combined the heavier directions of Technology with a more incisive lyrical tone. The LP became the band’s first release to reach number one on the U.K. Album Charts. Don Broco kept the momentum going the following year by releasing the standalone single “Fingernails,” which they used to promote their U.K. Arena Tour. Another one-off single, “Birthday Party,” appeared in 2023, as did the concert LP Live from the Royal Albert Hall, taken from the group’s 2022 performance at the iconic London venue. ~ Scott Kerr