Riding a wave of success that has seen them take the UK by storm, Bastille landed in Manchester to find themselves greeted by a palpable air of anticipation.
If you couldn’t sense it, the chants of ‘we want Bastille’ made sure you knew.
Despite forming back in 2010, it wasn’t until February this year that they finally shot to fame with the indie-rock version of a contagion Pompeii reaching no.2 in the UK charts.
Brainchild of lead vocalist Dan Smith, the moody solo act is now swelled to a four piece including Chris Wood, William Farquarson and Kyle Simmons.
The set-up is stripped down and simple – just instruments and themselves on stage; it’s clear it’s all about the music from the get-go.
With a number one album already under their belts, it’s no surprise that opening number Things We Lost In The Fire had the audience singing with more verve than their national anthem.
Bad Blood has clearly made its mark on Manchester and garnered a dedicated fanbase, as Smith informed the crowd: “You’re the loudest crowd we’ve had on tour.”
Unafraid of audience interaction, Smith left the safety of his perch to prowl the venue while serenading the swooning female fans.
Such an eager to please attitude is hardly unusual for young bands but it’s nonetheless still satisfying – and it didn’t go unnoticed in the crowd either.
Of course, Bastille aren’t exactly original and they’re not about to rewrite the rock rule book – their sound owes a lot to the likes of Maximo Park et al – but their ability to write catchy, pleasing numbers is inescapable.
Coupled with this, their capacity for recreating the sound of the album in a live setting is impressive and ensures fan favourites like the powerful Get Home don’t go unnoticed – Smith’s voice soaring over his very own backing band: the audience.
Inevitably it was their excruciatingly catchy single Pompeii that made for the most fitting finale.
If you were in any doubt of the lasting impression of Bastille, the sound of their swansong’s rhythmic chants being echoed by the audience as the filed out said it all.
Picture courtesy of Cecil, with thanks.
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