GENUINE
2 November 2016 saw the second night of Bastille‘s largest show to date, at the O2 Arena in London – which happens to be the band’s hometown. The first time they played in London, said frontman Dan Smith, was in a small pub in Camden. “It’s completely ridiculous that we’re allowed to be here,” Smith said throughout the night.
His modesty was genuine, which made the performance all the more likable. Between songs Smith often remarked how he “can’t dance.” But the sheer amount of energy Smith put into his performance – by constantly jumping around on stage and magically appearing on the arena floor or in the stands amidst a near-hysterical audience – completely negated his self-proclaimed lack of coordination. Smith bantered with keyboardist Kyle Simmons, while drummer Chris “Woody” Wood and bassist/guitarist Will Farquarson jammed. Stand-out performances from violinists on “Things We Lost in the Fire” and “Glory,” and trumpeters on “Weight of Living, Pt. II” further supported the band’s musical prowess.