Don Broco with Toy Parlour in The Garage, London (05/04/2026)
'Nightmare Tripping' release show
I nearly missed out. First when the tickets went online. Few seconds too long trying to choose the ticket and suddenly it said ‘SOLD OUT’. After initial panic, a shrug (‘nothing I can do about it now’), I realised there was a ‘waiting list’ option. Why not, right? Not even five minutes later the ticket was available and I couldn’t buy it any faster. I really liked that warm feeling in my chest. Then the dread of not getting a day off overshadowed it a little. Just a little. The process started and I was determined I was going to make it. First of: Happy Easter – what a way to celebrate. Second: The Garage in London. The venue has a special place in my heart: it was a venue I have seen Billy Talent in, the first concert shortly after I have uprooted my whole life and moved to UK and things were not looking great. That concert was a good omen, that maybe things will work out. Well…
Still a very special place. Funny how every I’m there I get surprised with how small it is. Even though I know it. But in my head venue’s shape is different. But I do remember those weird reflector looking lights at the back. still baffled, still love them.
And I nearly missed out. Stuck on a train I was listening to announcement with growing anxiety, the ‘I have lots of time’ was shrinking to vague ‘I still have time’, the decisions were being made how to proceed with the rest of the journey. It went from trespassers on the tracks, services are being involved, incident on tracks to [unfortunately] casualty and then fatality. In all this misfortune the train crew found an alternative route but the delay reached nearly three hours… I felt really bad for people travelling for work or to the airports (and it goes without saying - horrified for the person(s) involved in the incident)…
But after all I have gotten to the venue before the doors, with time to spare [to panic about the sizeable queue].
The amount of tall people was staggering, but somehow, I have found a nice side view and a secure spot. The warm feeling in my chest returned. The anxious thoughts remained on the low level. The 'Nightmare Tripping' release show was about to begin. The last of the whole week of shows/signings shenanigans (as you do when you release an album full of bangers). In my mind it was supposed to be 'Nightmare Tripping' played in full, but I was happy to have a healthy mix of... well, everything.
The support act – Toy Parlour [consisting of members of Beach Riot and Gnarlah] quite quickly won the gathered crowd over and the fun began. The band positive attitude, instant rapport with the crowd and infectious tunes warmed everyone right up. Short but energetic set was exactly what everyone in The Garage needed to get in the mood and be excited for Don Broco. I’m sure Toy Parlour gained few new fans with their big sound, catchy lyrics and charisma.
There was obviously a well curated playlist for a waiting period, but then comes the song, let’s call it ‘walking into the ring song’. And it’s ‘Hero’ [Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott, theme song from ‘Spiderman’]. Of course it is.
And then ‘True Believers’ just rip through the air like a freight train (even though just a snippet, what a start of the show). ‘Nightmare Tripping’ is indeed tripping everybody, and everybody in The Garage give into the almost animalistic joy. It’s like a ritual: one body, one mind, all together in a trance and scream. ‘Gumshields’ instrumental intro is empowered by fans’ singalong and oh, indeed everyone’s dancing to it. The temperature of the room, the heat of the bodies is up high when ‘Pretty’ takes over and I’m sure everyone knows exactly where Bedford is [where Broco is from, reference to song’s intro ‘Bedford? Where’s Bedford?’ an audio sample from Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, that came from Beats 1 radio show when he jokingly asked this before playing the song].
As soon as first notes of ‘Cellophane’ start Cadbury’s Chocolate Mini Rolls get thrown into the crowd [song’s line ‘Have you got the minerals?’ has become something else entirely, sort of: you sing what you hear rather what the lyrics are, Broco’s ‘Everybody’ doesn’t have the line about Tequilla and yet that’s what we hear, it’s funnier that way, I guess]. Mini Rolls is thrown at Rob and he happily bites a chunk off of it and in my head blares: ‘Please don’t choke as you sing. Chew! Chew!’ Brains are interesting organs. But it’s all fun, fun, fun. Rob’s in the crowd in no time, moshpits are going. Crowdsurfers are an obvious occurrence, too.
‘One True Prince’ is a little break in a heavy tuned set. The delicate side of the band still delivers quite a punch. I dare say it’s one of the favourites. Or I am absolutely biased, because it’s definitely one of mine and it always makes my eyes water.
Speaking of favourites – there’s a poll: which song from the new album, a non-single is a favourite. The poll fails miserably due to the fact that the crowd eagerly cheers for each contender making it impossible to choose one (‘Ghost in the Night’, ‘Somersaults’ or ‘The Corner’ – good luck choosing one). Rob laughs as he says that they won’t play any of those anyway, but I’m sure he appreciated the love given to the songs and newly released album.
Back to fast and furious with ‘Manchester Super Reds No. 1 Fan’ and everybody’s so ready for ‘Disappear’ and I’m sure many will agree with me that he [Rob] isn’t just ‘a fool with a mic’. ‘Euphoria’ elevates the mood (if that’s even possible, since it seems the whole room is flying high with the energy, having the best night). ‘Bruce Wills’ well, it’s ‘Bruce Wills’: there could have been any other phrase to check which side of the room is louder, but nothing beats "Yippee-ki-yay, motherf***er" yelled with joy at others without the consequences John McClane’s enemies had to face. Also, incredibly cleansing ritual, just to let it all out.
‘Everybody’ closes the main set and then ‘T-shirt Song’ and ‘Hype Man’ are the perfect close. T-shirts are in the air like it’s a big summer festival gig, not a small sweaty venue (the happiness produced is all the same, though) and indeed none of us wants to go, when the show’s over. But we do leave hyped. Sweaty, with smudged make-up, drenched in drinks, exhausted, but so happy it almost hurts to get back to the real world. Living is heavyweight.
Machester Super Reds No.1 Fan
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