By Ryan Hildrew, Rock At Night London

Live Review: DES ROCS – O2 Islington Academy, London, UK – September 30, 2024

Attending a DES ROCS gig is not just a night of music; it’s an experience. This three-piece rock band knows how to transform any venue into a high voltage performance, mixing old-school rock with a modern twist. Their concert at the Islington Academy was nothing short of exhilarating, an energetic burst of sound and theatrics that left everyone buzzing long after the final note was struck.

From the moment DES ROCS ran out onto the stage, the atmosphere was electric. The audience was already primed with anticipation from the amazing support from Pistols At Dawn and Moon Fever, and as soon as the first chord echoed through the speakers, the crowd erupted. Frontman and lead guitarist, Danny Rocco, oozed charisma and instantly commanded attention. His swaggering stage presence, combined with his raw, raspy vocals and not to mention the jaw dropping custom 2 piece full leather outfit adorned with his signature logo on the back, set the tone for the night. The energy was infectious, and instantly the audience was completely immersed in the show.

One of the standout aspects of DES ROCS’ performance is their ability to fuse rock ‘n’ roll with a sense of theatrics. There’s a dramatic flair to everything they do, from the way Rocco engages with the audience to the intense expressions of him giving everything to the performance. DES ROCS doesn’t just play their instruments – they perform. It’s as much about the visual spectacle as it is about the music. At points, it felt like the band was telling a story, building tension and exploding into climaxes with his 360 spins back to back around the stage. The set was paced perfectly, with slower, more brooding songs giving way to fast-paced, anthemic rockers that had the whole room jumping.

As the Night went on and the energy continued to rise and the Rocco’s outfit continued to strip back, sleeves being removed, then the top half tossed aside down to a simple black vest. Slicking his hair back in pure Danny Zuko style, the crowd couldn’t have asked for a better night. At one stage, Rocco had the audience close their eyes as he told a story having them all paint the visuals in their heads.

Making jokes about how weird the UK is from watching shows such as Saltburn and Baby Reindeer, the crowd took on in good humour.

With a final two song encore of “Ruby With The Sharpest Lies” and finally “Suicide Romantics”, hearts were filled, cheers ringed the Academy, and the night come to a momentous close with fans eager for the rockstar to return the the British capital. For anyone looking for a live act that isn’t afraid to push boundaries and put on a show that’s as much about spectacle as it is about sound, DES ROCS is a band to watch.