Bastille with support from DYLAN and The Native
at Bournemouth International Centre in Bournemouth, UK
photos and wordsby Phoebe Reeks

Having released their latest album Give Me the Future in February this year, Bastille returned to the Bournemouth International Centre to kick off their UK tour of the same name.

Opening the night were Plymouth-based band, The Native, who didn’t fail to get the crowd moving along to their indie tunes. They performed several songs including ‘Adore Me’ from their latest EP, Signals released earlier this year, and ‘In My Mind’. Lead singer, Charlie Noordewier interacted well with the crowd, sharing their excitement to be performing in such a large venue and honoured Bastille for the opportunity.

Following their lead was the ever-so enthusiastic and energetic DYLAN who, along with her drummer and guitarist got everyone hyped up even more for Bastille. Her catchy pop tunes, including ‘Nineteen’, her latest single ‘No Romeo’ and a couple of unexpected covers thrown in, had the audience dancing and clapping along throughout her set.

The crowd waited in anticipation for Bastille to arrive on stage, before erupting in a massive cheer as the lights dimmed, ready for the show to begin. Kicking off their set was ‘Stay Awake’ a track from their latest album release, which showcased Dan Smith’s lead vocals from the get-go, before ramping it up with ‘Distorted Light Beam’. The band took it way back with fan favourite ‘Things We Lost in the Fire’ which had the crowd bouncing along and ‘Oblivion’ which again highlighted the extensive vocal ranges of the lead singer.

Performing a spectrum of both new and old releases spanning the last decade, Bastille were on top form. They displayed their usual tight-knit performance, with bags of enthusiasm and energy from Dan, as always, and impressive backing vocals from BIM and Senab, particularly during ‘Future Holds’. The band slowed it down with a few stripped back performances, allowing each member to show off their skills. No Bastille show is complete without Dan joining the crowd, and this was no exception, with the frontman dancing around with the fans during ‘Happier’.

The audience were also treated to Bastille’s newest single ‘Run into Trouble’, alongside other popular tracks including ‘Quarter Past Midnight’, ‘Good Grief’ and ‘Pompeii’. Dan regularly expressed the band’s gratitude to be able to put on a show after a challenging few years. They closed the show with a very apt ‘Shut off the Lights’ which had the whole crowd grooving to end a brilliant night.

With an impressive light set up and various video and audio interludes throughout the performance, the audience were absorbed into a sci-fi world, offering a sense of escapism from a somewhat strange world in recent times. This otherworldly feeling is something you couldn’t reach without being immersed in the live show – don’t miss your chance to catch them at another date on the tour!

BASTILLE: BOURNEMOUTH, UK - 31.03.22

THE NATIVE

DYLAN

BASTILLE