Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Saturday June 14, 2014 :
I don’t think I have ever been to a show where the band seemed so genuinely humbled and appreciative to the massive crowd that sold out the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney on Saturday night. It was just last year that Bastille, an indie rock band from the UK, made their first tour to Australia and has now gone from playing a rather small show at the Metro Theatre to now selling over 5000 tickets to fill the Hordern.
Lead singer Dan Smith’s voice did not disappoint on the night, as he sang the 17 song set as effortlessly and brilliantly as he sounds on their albums, Bad Blood and Other People’s Heartache. The crowd was already buzzing with excitement by the time support acts Alison Wonderland and Foxes finished their sets and a cry of screaming girls (and guys) erupted as the boys walked on stage, opening the set with ‘Bad Blood’, while everyone hung onto their every word.
The whole night felt like one big, happy dance party and although the night didn’t feel as intimate as their show last year, the upgraded venue and increased crowd capacity did not stop Smith’s vocals from filling the room and dancing throughout the night. The use of lighting was incredibly impressive, especially in their song, ‘The Draw’, where the lighting erupted in bright colours and flashes during the chorus, hypnotising everyone in the room. A song that had absolutely none was ‘Flaws’, which saw Smith make his way around the entire crowd causing everyone to go into hysterics as they tried to get close to him. If the audience wasn’t already warmed up, this definitively did the job.
The show ended with their massive hit, ‘Pompeii’, causing the room to be filled with cameras and phones to record the catchy tune, despite Dan asking everyone to put them away and dance along. Although I may be a little biased because these guys are one of my absolute favourite bands, this 10/10 show is one I can’t fault and just like their last tour, I will be suffering from Post Concert Depression for a few more days.
Reviewer and Photographer: Jessica Ward
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