“I want to thank Teenage Cancer Trust for helping to make this happen,” beams Rob Damiani, waving to his proud mum up in one of the boxes of the Royal Albert Hall, the legendary space Rob describes as, “The most incredible venue in the fucking world.”
The Teenage Cancer Trust does remarkable work, providing specialist wards, nurses and support works to provide tailored support for young people with cancer and their families, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond. But in asking Don Broco to kickstart this week of gigs also featuring YUNGBLUD, Liam Gallagher, Ed Sheeran and rock legends The Who, the charity has also done something special for the Bedford lads: allowing them to take their flirtation with an epic new direction to the next level. It’s a gamble that pays off beautifully.
Last year, Don Broco recorded a version of their track One True Prince with an orchestra at Abbey Road for Amazon Music, an experience Rob suggests from the stage tonight as being over far too quickly. He and his bandmates certainly savour getting to repeat the experience across these 12 songs, backed by the Charity Symphony Orchestra, in front of some 5,500 people – and in successfully blending rock and classical they become members of an exclusive club featuring the likes of Metallica, Bring Me The Horizon and Alter Bridge.
Opening proceedings, Deaf Havana have been fans of the Broco since they came to play their hometown of King’s Lynn, years back, “to about three drunk people,” according to James Veck-Gilodi. Much has changed since then, of course, even if the vocalist suggests this setting might still be a little too fancy for his band: “Normally we’re not allowed to play places like this.”