Bastille at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse (Still Avoiding Tomorrow Tour).
It seems like an age since I obtained tickets for Bastille but finally the day came, on the 3rd of February, and accompanied by two friends we finally witnessed their show at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse.
Bastille took to the stage with a very personal set ahead of the release of their 3rd album, Dooms Days. Supporting acts included Moss Kena and Lewis Capaldi. Lewis Capaldi is one to watch as he says, “If you like fat guys singing sad songs, you’re in for a treat” – capturing the crowd into his powerfully sad songs but funny personality as his talk led his set and made the crowd appreciate his lyrics.
When Bastille finally took to the stage, they were covered behind a white sheet so it’s a blur then, frontman, Dan Smith’s erupts with his unique voice, and everyone is captured and caught up in silence taking in Dan Smith’s vocals. It was then that I knew we were in for a good night. The white sheet came down and Dan Smith was immediately running and jumping around the stage, he was a ball of energy as he exploded into, Quarter Past Midnight with the crowd in his hands instantly. For their Craig David co-sign, I Know You, support act Moss Kena joined them onstage which created an immense atmosphere as Dan Smith tossed his cap off while revealing his shaved head.
You can sometimes forget all the hits that Bastille have had and how long they have been going for. Somehow their set managed to get better and better. As a rotating shabby sofa appeared on stage mid set with Dan Smith lying on it as if he’s experiencing the worst come down while singing new track, 4am which is about spending 4am with your old and new friends. The sofa spines and reveals the title of the upcoming album, Doom Days on the back of the sofa. Bastille were offering a glimpse of the new album to which Dan Smith says it’s an, “apocalyptic party record”. The intensity of the set kicks off again with, Pompeii – performed on a revolving platform and the crowd letting rip.
It was the best I’ve ever seen Bastille. Last time I saw them was at Sziget Festival 2018 and I didn’t think they could top that, but they somehow did. This time it felt like Bastille were more intimate with their fans, as it was enclosed and felt somewhat private from the outside world. With a setlist of 24 songs plus two encore songs of Bastilles hit with Marshmallow, Happier and Flaws. Towards the end of the set his releases himself into the crowd and was walking, singing, jumping around with us as if we were part of their performance. Bastille closed the set with, Flaws which is significant and quite melancholic but overall was the right choice to end the experience. Overall the performance was better than expected.
Their new album, Dooms Day which is due to be released sometime this year is said to be about escaping your daily life and the world by going on a massive night out. By using that as a metaphor with the reality of society and what we are living through today, Dooms Day is an escapism from society and is sure to be a hit if this performance is anything to go by.
