Don Broco
Norwich UEA // Norwich, England // 10 October 2026
Photos and review by Stuart Peach
There are some bands you can see time and time again without ever getting bored, and for me, Don Broco are firmly in that category. Having now seen them nine times, including four visits at this exact venue, I knew roughly what to expect when their Nightmare Tripping UK tour rolled into town and just like the date, this show was 10/10. High energy, an energetic crowd, and plenty of chaos. Thankfully, they delivered all of that and then some (just as expected).
Unfortunately, I arrived a little too late to catch the first three songs from Ando San in the photo pit, so I missed my opportunity to capture their opening moments. The rest of their set was great though, prog-hop beats and sick riffs stood out and they really kicked off the energy in the venue.
Next up were unpeople, who were to be a great addition to the bill. Having recently released their debut album (which had released the day before), we are unpeople, they have plenty to be excited about right now, and their performance was a great reminder of why they are a band worth keeping an eye on within the scene. They blend a mix of genre in a quite frankly indescribable blend but reminded me of Dinosaur Pile Up’s earlier stuff. They brought a strong start to the evening and certainly left a good impression ahead of the main event.
By the time Don Broco took to the stage, the atmosphere was exactly what you would hope for from a band who have built such a reputation for their live shows. There is something about a Don Broco crowd that makes their gigs feel like an event, and Norwich was absolutely no exception. Between the movement on stage and the energy coming from the audience, keeping up with the action through a camera lens was no easy task, but it made for some brilliant moments to capture.
With their latest album, Nightmare Tripping, released in March, it was great to hear the band bringing newer material into the set. The title track, True Believers and The Corner were particular highlights with Si starting off True Believers on acoustic before belting into the main riff, showing that the newer songs can hold their own alongside the tracks fans have spent years singing back at them.
That said, there is something special about hearing the older favourites live. Money Power Fame was a welcome addition, while Everybody remains one of the band’s best live songs (I was gutted Pretty didn’t make the list though). It is the kind of track that feels made for a room full of people singing along, and it is always a highlight when it makes an appearance. Come Out To LA was another standout, adding to a set that balanced newer material with songs that have become staples of their live shows.
Of course, no Don Broco gig would be complete without a few unexpected moments. At one point, the band helped facilitate a proposal in the crowd, giving the evening a genuinely memorable moment beyond the music itself. Then there was Rob opening a pack of Magic: The Gathering cards that a fan had thrown to him, hoping for a Smaug pull. It is exactly the sort of wonderfully random interaction that makes their shows feel so entertaining. You never quite know what is going to happen next.
After nine times seeing Don Broco, you might think the novelty would start to wear off, but somehow it never does. They have a knack for making every show feel exciting, whether it is through the songs, the crowd, or the unpredictable moments in between.
Returning to Norwich UEA for the fourth time to see them was another reminder of just how much I enjoy photographing and watching this band. With a new album adding even more to an already impressive catalogue, there is plenty of reason to keep coming back.
If this tour proves anything, it is that Don Broco still know exactly how to put on a show. And after nine times, I am already looking forward to number ten.
