LIVE FROM THE PIT: Dacara, Matter of Mind and Contramotion

Dacara showcased their growing confidence and musical depth with anintimate pre-launch event at BrewDog Manchester, followed by a commanding headline set at Rebellion. The evening worked as both a preview of what’s to come and a solid reminder of how far the band have come.

The BrewDog launch set the tone early. Fans gathered to try the band’s new collaborative beer, chat with the members in a relaxed, personal setting. The atmosphere built a sense of anticipation that carried naturally into the night’s main event.

The night kicked off with Contramotion, and they were a brilliant choice to open the show. They came out swinging, no warm-up needed, and immediately had people paying attention. Their set felt tight but still raw in the right ways, the kind of performance where you can tell the band is genuinely enjoying themselves. By the time they wrapped up, the room was already buzzing, and you could sense they’d won over a chunk of the crowd who might not have known them before.

After a quick changeover, Matter of Mind hit the stage, and the whole vibe shifted up a notch. Being a local band, they clearly had a homefield advantage. The cheers they got before even playing a note said it all. They fed off that energy straight away. From the first song onward, the crowd was fully locked in: singing along, jumping, shouting, just completely immersed in it.

Matter of Mind has this knack for making a room feel smaller in the best way, like everyone’s part of the same moment. Their set flew by because every track felt huge, and the band didn’t waste a second keeping the momentum going. By the end, people were genuinely hyped for the rest of the night, and you could tell the bar they’d set wasn’t going to be easy for anyone to beat. Overall, both bands smashed it. Contramotion set the stage perfectly, and Matter of Mind took that energy and ran with it. It was one of those nights where you leave feeling like you’ve seen something special, and wishing the show didn’t have to end.

During the final interval, while everyone was buzzing and waiting for the main event to hit the stage, something absolutely wild happened. Honestly, one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever experienced at a gig. Out of nowhere... A FLASH MOB. Yes, an actual flash mob. The speakers suddenly blasted Rot by Dacara, and before anyone could make sense of it. People in the crowd jumped into this surprisingly well-rehearsed choreography. It took a second for everyone to realise it wasn’t just random dancing, it was a full routine, and it was brilliant.

The whole room lit up. People were cheering, laughing, filming, joining in halfway through, you name it. There was such an unexpected moment, but it worked perfectly. By the time they finished, the energy in the venue had shot through the roof, and you could feel the crowd buzzing even more for the headliners who were just minutes away.

Rebellion turned out to be the perfect battleground for the headline set, Intimate enough to feel personal, yet big enough to handle the band’s full force energy. The room packed out fast with a crowd that was mixed, loud, and fully locked in. The lighting setup wasn’t just good; it was next level hands down the best I’ve ever seen in Rebellion, blasting the room into something way beyond its usual vibe. And that catwalk? A catwalk in Rebellion. Who would’ve thought? It landed like a statement piece, bold and impossible to ignore. With razor-sharp sound and flawless technical work, every spotlight landed where it mattered most: on the music.

Onstage, Dacara looked assured and in control. Their interaction with the crowd felt genuine but never forced, complementing rather than competing with the music. Vocals came through strong and clean, while the guitars, bass, and drums locked together with impressive precision. Even the more intricate transitions felt effortless, a sign of a band sharpening their craft.

The setlist blended established favourites with unreleased tracks, giving long-time supporters something familiar while offering a promising look at the next chapter. The newer songs were met with enthusiasm, suggesting the band’s upcoming releases are likely to land well with both existing fans and new listeners.

The crowd remained engaged throughout, quietly attentive during the more detailed sections and fully involved when the band pushed the energy higher. Their response made it clear that Dacara can hold a room and keep it invested from start to finish.

Taken as a whole, Dacara’s Manchester double-header showed a band hitting an important stride. From the warm, conversational tone of the BrewDog pre-launch to the full force delivery at Rebellion, the night highlighted their range, professionalism, and growing momentum. It was a performance that entertained, impressed, and hinted at bigger stages on the horizon.

A well executed, confident set reinforcing Dacara’s upward trajectory.

Words and Photos: Jack Norris