There’s something weirdly special about being at a band’s first ever show. It’s like watching lightning try to figure out what path it wants to take. Last night at Asylum 2, Over:dramatics struck hard. For a debut gig, it didn’t just go well, it was more like one of those nights people will brag about being at years down the line (me, included).

From the moment they walked onstage, there was this kind of collective anticipation that hits when everyone’s half-curious, half-ready to lose it. And then they played, and any hint of nerves dissolved into pure, contagious energy. Over:dramatics sound like they were raised on burnt CD’s and eyeliner-stained band tees, gravitating a perfect clash of early-2000s pop-punk and alt-rock angst. Think Take This To Your Grave-era Fall Out Boy meets the grit and theatre of Bullets-era My Chemical Romance.

And at the centre of it all was Tommy, the frontman, radiating the kind of chaotic charisma that makes you forget this is their first show. His voice has that desperate, cracked emotion you can’t fake, there were moments where he’d lean into the mic, voice splintering in the most perfect way, and it felt like the whole room was holding its breath.

The rest of the band backed him up with total commitment and the kind of chemistry you only get when everyone’s completely dialled in. They didn’t look like a band still figuring each other out; they looked like a band hungry and invested in making music work. There’s a tightness to their sound that feels practiced, but a looseness to their performance that keeps it thrilling. Every track felt big; punchy riffs and driving basslines that time-travel back to the golden-era Kerrang! vibe with genuine affection, not imitation.

Emerson, the drummer, was an absolute weapon behind the kit, and completely unhinged in the best possible way. It’s rare to see a drummer steal the spotlight in a venue that small, but he did it effortlessly. He played like he was trying to break the drums in half; arms a blur, sticks splintering, sweat flying, and yet somehow, every beat landed perfectly in time. You could feel it through the floorboards, through your chest, through the air itself.

Their stage presence wasn’t flawless, but honestly, that’s what made it so fun to watch. They’re still finding their rhythm, the in-between moments, the flow from song to song, but it’s endearing rather than awkward, and I have no doubt that their performance will become a tight, well-oiled machine after a handful more performances.

There were these moments where everything clicked into place so perfectly you could practically see their future stretching out ahead of them. They’ve already nailed that emotional urgency that defines all the greats in this genre; the mix of heart-on-sleeve sincerity and high-energy chaos that makes you want to dance, sing, cry, and throw yourself into a mosh pit all at once.

If this is what Over:dramatics sound like on night one, it’s scary to think how good they’ll be six months from now. They’ve got the songs, the sound, and that intangible spark that makes a band matter. There’s something real here that is worth following.