DMA'S - Live Review

DMA’S - O2 Academy Birmingham, 08/02/2026: Hills End 10th Anniversary Tour

There’s a certain magic to a DMA’S show that’s hard to bottle. Sunday night at the O2 Academy Birmingham, the band returned to mark a decade since Hills End. Yeah, time really does fly! But, if you thought anniversary tours were just nostalgia trips, this one had other ideas.

I'd shot DMA's a few times before, back in 2024 supporting Courteeners and then also in 2023 when they played Oxford, so I was excited for tonight!

The room was already buzzing before the house lights dipped. I'd never photographed here before. It’s a venue on two levels that’s big enough for a proper crowd, but still close enough that you can clock the sweat and smiles on stage. DMA’S came on just after 9pm, no big intro, just straight into “Timeless”. From there, it was Hills End in full, track by track, no skipping, no filler. “Lay Down” landed early, and the place just about lost its mind. Johnny commented they wouldn't normally play it this early, but why the hell not.

Between songs, Johnny Took was in a chatty mood, dropping in bits about the album changing their lives and how happy they were to be playing it for us in order. The gratitude felt genuine, not rehearsed. The UK crowds got a heartfelt thanks for taking DMA’S under their wing.

Energy on stage was constant. Tommy O’Dell was everywhere, dancing, grinning, getting the crowd going, and sounding as good as ever. The band were tight. “Delete” was the big one for me. Stripped back, a bit fragile, and then suddenly the whole room’s singing it back. That’s the kind of moment you hope for at these shows.

Matt Mason’s guitar work anchored the whole thing. The band felt completely in sync, and a lot of that glue comes from the interplay between members.

What really stood out was the sense of community. You could tell the band were enjoying themselves, especially with so many familiar faces in the crowd, they commented. Some people I spoke with were on their third DMA’S gig of the weekend, which is a bit mad when you think about it. Manchester, Newcastle and now Birmingham. There’s a real sense of loyalty at these shows, and the band seem to get that. “Thanks for letting us play the album in full,” Johnny said, and it felt like he meant it.

The encore was everything the crowd wanted. “For Now”, “Olympia”, “Silver”. Followed by “Silver”, "Tape Deck Sick, "Hello Girlfriend" before finishing with "Feels like 37". Massive. By the end, everyone looked a bit spent.

Support came from Salarymen, who did a solid job warming things up with their indie pop.

But really, this was DMA’S night. Ten years on, Hills End still holds up. Raw, melodic, and full of feeling. As the lights came up, you got the sense that nobody wanted to leave.

There are a few nights left of the tour. If you can get to a show, you won't regret it!

• 12/02 - O2 Academy Brixton
• 14/02 - O2 Academy Leeds
• 15/02 - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
• 16/02 - O2 Academy Glasgow
• 17/02 - O2 Academy Glasgow
• 20/05 - Rock City, Nottingham
• 21/05 - Rock City, Nottingham
• 22/05 - UEA Norwich