Live Review: DMA'S, Bad//Dreems

Indie-rock, gentle acoustic or garage noise; Enmore Theatre covered it all on Friday night as SA four- piece Bad//Dreems supported the DMA'S on tour for their debut album, Hills End.

Bad//Dreems kicked the night off by showing a sold-out Sydney crowd what kind of abrasive, slashing dance moves are coming out of Adelaide. Long-haired head bangs from front man Ben Marwe and aggressive stage movements were brought together through succinct, outsider rock, choruses and melodic undertones from the rest of the band. The boys ensured the crowd was left feeling energetic and intensely vocal with their final hateful tune, Dumb Ideas.

Before their set even began, it was clear that the DMA'S boys were going to have some fun with this hometown set, as guitarist Johnny Took peeped his head between the curtains to tease an already-eager and noisy audience. Not to keep them waiting any longer, guitars began and the curtains unveiled the trio bounding on stage, accompanied with three extra members for their show. Wearing his signature white cap and loosely fitted button-up shirt, lead singer Tommy O'Dell launches his arms in the air and gestures towards the crowd, as lights begin to beam across the stage and the rest of the crew take position.

Never drowned by layers of electric guitar and drums, O'Dell's vocals radiated throughout the open space above the crowd with exceptional execution and apparent ease. Eventually, the audience sing-a-long morphed into the sound of the band, as they played loveable favourites Feels like 37 and Timeless.

Whether it was eye locking during guitar solos or a mid-tune fist pump, the boys delivered each song with touching camaraderie and undeniable onstage chemistry. They even showed off their versatility and cheekiness with a modern rock rendition of Madonna's Beautiful Stranger.

DMA'S were left on stage alone to perform two final acoustic tracks including a movingly progressive version of Delete. Sentiment and warmth resonated throughout the crowd, shared with Took's stripped back acoustic guitar and melodic harmonies of "You know, you more, you're setting off the score".

Not to finish on an overly emotive tone, guitarist/vocalist Matt Mason bounces back on stage (shirtless) to begin an extended encore of 2014 single Lay Down with the rest of the crew. In all, DMA'S truly showcased their captivating combination of undying performance passion, astounding execution and a roaring, hometown crowd.