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It’s impressive enough that Dinosaur Pile-Up frontman Matt Bigland is back onstage performing again after such a horrific few years with his health – more impressive is the fact that he is not merely going through the motions and dialling it in. Instead, he is performing like it is his last night on Earth, and puts in a performance that is a testament to his tenacity and the indomitable spirit that got him through some of the darkest days that anyone could go through.
Bigland began documenting his story on the band’s Instagram account in December 2024. You can see it in his own words here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4. And without resorting to the overuse of hyperbole, it is an incredible watch. Heartbreaking; shocking; uncomfortable at times, but ultimately inspiring, it is worthy of everyone’s attention.
The Beastie Boys’ classic ‘(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)’ is an apt choice as intro music, as Bigland certainly fought for the right to be here, and it is a euphoric moment when he launches the set-opening track ”Bout to Lose It’ with a lengthy hair-raising scream before barking out “I guess I’m back on the edge, maybe I never left…”. Although it’s a new song (from the recently released album ‘I’ve Felt Better’), it seems that everyone in attendance is not only familiar with it, but also knows all the words, especially the line “I’d say a prayer/But lately I’m like, ‘What the fuck?’…” where they bellow it back at Bigland with gusto. It’s a great track that showcases the full range of DPU material within a few moments; from the harsh scream to the fast-paced, grungier parts, to the Weezer-like melodies that beg to be sung out loud. A stunning way to announce your return after six years between albums.
‘Celebrity Mansions’ is the album from six years ago, and the trio turns to it for the immediate follow-on of ‘Stupid Heavy Metal Broken Hearted Loser Punk’, which is an utter, joyous riot. The perfect three-minute mix of alt-rock with power pop-punk and heaps of hooky, guitar melodies. Although it’s understandable to focus on Bigland during the set, he is, after all, the singer and guitarist, it is hard not to be distracted by the animalistic skills of drummer Mike Sheils, who, despite being difficult to see through the darkness, is certainly making his presence felt with some pummeling work. Bassist Jim Cratchley completes the trio, but it would be a disservice to think that his talents are restricted simply to the bass guitar, as later on in the set, during a 3-song segment, Bigland dispenses of his guitar and goes vocals-only while Cratchley takes over lead guitar duties. Bassists, after all, are the smart ones in a band.
The different tastes that DPU cook up throughout their music mean that the audience is also varied. Not just in demographics (including the double-denim, beady-eyed, shit-beard-wearing guy who couldn’t have stuck out more had he walked into the pit and said “How do you do, fellow kids?”) but also in the band shirts category with the likes of Airbourne alongside more alternative acts such as The Idles, and Enter Shikari. Fantastic to witness how widespread an audience the trio from Yorkshire brings to the party.
Highlights are aplenty; live, newbie ‘Sick of Being Down’ is a gnarly, grungy, distortion-filled Stooges-like belter; ‘Pouring Gasoline’ has a great urgency to it, and highlights the full recovery from Bigland as this one must be a bitch to sing; the hip-hop influenced ‘My Way’ sounds ballsier live and seques perfectly into a cracking cover of the Run D.M.C. classic ‘It’s Tricky’ (total respect to DPU’s social media guy who is filming from the pit with one of those fancy cameras); ’11:11′ sees Bigland back on guitar and gets the pit moving again – social media guy is still in amongst the carnage; and the insane encore that begins with ‘Thrash Metal Cassette’ seems to have been influenced by the famous Gladiator line of “At my signal, unleash hell”.
Had Dinosaur Pile-Up come from Seattle or anywhere else in Washington state, for that matter, then they would be hailed as trailblazers and icons. Cameron Crowe would have made a documentary on them by now. But they are from Yorkshire, so they have to do things the hard way. Without hype.
As Matt Bigland says on ‘My Way’: “Nah, quitting ain’t my style, so fuck it!”
Go see these guys. They are dynamite.
Forthcoming dates:
22 Oct – Toyota Arena, Ontario, CA – US*
23 Oct – Gallagher Square at Petco Park, San Diego, CA – US*
25 Oct – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre, Phoenix, AZ – US*
26 Oct – Isleta Amphitheatre, Albuquerque, NM – US*
28 Oct – Broadmoor World Arena, Colorado Springs, CO – US*
29 Oct – Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, MO – US*
31 Oct – Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE – US*
01 Nov – Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL – US*
02 Nov – The Armory, Minneapolis, MN – US*
04 Nov – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI – US*
05 Nov – PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA – US*
06 Nov – Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, Lexington, KY – US*
08 Nov – SNHU Arena, Manchester, NH – US*
09 Nov – Total Mortgage Arena, Bridgeport, CT – US*
11 Nov – North Charleston Coliseum, North Charleston, SC – US*
13 Nov – Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, MS – US*
14 Nov – Donald L. Tucker Civic Center – Tallahassee, FL – US*
18 Nov – Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL – US*
20 Nov – BOK Center, Tulsa, OK – US*
21 Nov – Moody Center, Austin, TX – US*
22 Nov – American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX – US*
25 – 31 Jan, 2026 – Shiprocked Cruise, Miami, FL – US^
* w/A Day To Remember & Yellowcard
^ Festival
‘I’ve Felt Better’ is available now via Mascot Records. More information, HERE.
Review – Dave
All images – Tom Brooker
