Manchester Super Reds No.1 Fans are back on the road again, but before they make a visit to the North Western metropolis, a night of untamed rowdiness in Nottingham as the Bedford outfit Don Broco return to their heavier roots.
Don Broco – State Champs – Yonaka – Magnolia Park
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham – 2 December 2025
Words And Photography: Matt Pratt
The arse-kicking commences early into the set. Opening with Cellophane, the band asserts their cacophonous, renewed identity as they seek to answer the question: “Have you got the minerals?”
Rasping riffs and gut-punching basslines coat the enormous, yet tightly packed, arena. These are songs purpose-built to conquer the grandest stages of the world.
Plenty of speculation has been raised as to whether Don Broco frontman Rob Damiani might have been the man behind the mask of Sleep Token singer Vessel, on account of their similar vocal tones. While the rumours seem unlikely, it is hard to deny Damiani’s showmanship as he jives about the stage, equipped with a stylish pair of sunglasses.
Dazed by lasers and strobe lighting in tandem with the roaring, the show is breathless. There is a whole new dimension to the experienced musician’s back catalogue in this live presentation. Songs which on record lean towards alternative-rock are imbued by the spirit of Metal, every nuance kicked up a notch and pumped full of those gnarly lows that will have you scrunching your face up.
Midway through the set, the four-piece leave the stage, giving us a short moment to reassemble ourselves, ready for the next assault. During the brief intermission, the on-stage screen is occupied by a ‘Brococam’ serving a glimpse at the already sweat-drenched audience.
The break-time entertainment seemed relatively uneventful. No forbidden corporate romances here tonight. That is, until a couple, by the names of Harrison and Steph, were captured in a surprise proposal. Thankfully, she said yes. Damiani joined them in celebration from the crowd, dedicating an acoustic rendition of You Wanna No to their union.
The calm section of the show continued back on stage with an appearance from Theresa Jarvis of Yonaka. Though both bands are best known for their rip-roaring rock anthems, the collaboration is a beautiful, gentle version of Further, showcasing a whole new angle to both vocalists’ range.
As is to be expected, the back end of the performance is jam-packed with powerful anthems, both new and old. The penultimate offering of T-Shirt Song needs no instructions. Barely a beat of the tune has been played as whirling shirts coast over the sea of fans.
The show is brought to a close with Hypeman, and while this band has demonstrated that no hypeman is needed for their performance, this early glimpse of their next chapter definitely generates some hype.
It does not matter where you put Don Broco, whether it be a grimy backstreet bar or a hulking arena like tonight, they excel. Their complete ownership of each and every platform they are placed upon is on full display this evening, tightening their grip at the very top of the alternative rock ladder.
State Champs
One of those full-circle moments, State Champs were fundamental in introducing Don Broco to their American audience, so the pride must be rich as they gaze out over the masses that are filling up the arena shortly before their friends take to the stage.
Now veterans of the pop-punk landscape, State Champs are a well-oiled machine that put on a performance to match. Their vibrant hits are mirrored by their stage presence, bounding about the stage and whipping their hair back and forth in beat with the music.
Their performance is faultless, but it does feel a departure from the atmosphere set by the other bands sharing the stage. While Don Broco, Yonaka and Magnolia Park are striving for the aggression that inspires mosh pits, State Champs sit in a lighter space that seems to have lost swathes of the Metal-forward audience, who seem to have moved their focus from the stage to the impressive cup stacking attempt within the crowd.
State Champs would have no trouble selling a headline UK tour of their own, and in a setting more appropriate for their style, they would bring the house down.
Though the performance felt to have fallen flat this evening, the outcome certainly cannot be attributed to their excellent display of what they do best.
Yonaka
The lights fall to their dimmest of the night for Brighton-based trio, Yonaka, and with the lighting comes an equally gloomy sound. Channelling darkness through grumbling bass and zapping electronic beats, the moody backdrop is contrasted by the defiant and commanding vocals of vocalist Theresa Jarvis.
It is but a fleeting affair with the intriguing band. But with promises of new music imminent, you would expect to see plenty more from them in 2026 with some new Don Broco fans in tow.
Magnolia Park
Magnolia Park are ending 2025 just as they started it. Having begun the year with a support slot at the Motorpoint Arena with Bowling For Soup, they have stepped up again to open the proceedings for Don Broco.
It is never an easy job trying to wrangle the patchy early crowd of an arena show, but this band will get you moving, whatever the weather.
Sounds ranging from pop-punk to Metalcore to Disney, their performance offers an abundance of energy that goes hand in hand with their engagement.
Though the crowd is still building, they are able to summon the very best out of those who are there for dancing, mosh pits and even a wall of death.
Having nailed the responsibilities of a pair of massive support slots, it has been an impressive couple of visits from the Floridians, who will be setting their sights on their next UK visit, Download Festival.
