Photo + Words: Isobel Greenhalgh

This Thursday saw the return of British indie-pop band Bastille, who made an outrageous return with yet another out show at the Eden Sessions. Hidden amongst steel framed natural biomes, awaited a crowd of loyal roaring fans adorned in glitter, bucket hats and welcoming smiles. After lively performances from warm-up acts Many Men Soundsystem and Alfie Templeman, the crowd had warmed with a sense of community in anticipation for the chart breaking band standing in the wings. 

Opening the show came Cornwall’s biggest all male choir, blending synths and electronic drums with the powerful harmony of the collection of voices bringing a community presence to upbeat covers. The powerful message of joy only seemed to spread as follow-up act Alfie Templeman took to the stage with a beaming presence and infectious energy. 

Appearing in bounds of cheers, the band took to the stage, setting a dramatic atmosphere before mesmerising the crowd with a carefully orchestrated string, keys and vocal arrangement to introduce opening song ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’. The 2011’s hit brought screams across the sunkissed venue, welcoming the band with an applauding thirst for more. Keeping its pace, the set smoothly moved into ‘Good Grief’, which was greeted with a wildly appreciated reception. It was these opening hits that set a spark to night and brought a new energy to those in attendance, with lead singer Dan Smith bounding around the stage, dancing as though alongside everyone in attendance. 

The audience returned once more to a hush, as lights dimmed and audience members stood in awe of the cries of a weeping violin carrying in the vocals to world building hit ‘Oblivion’. For a beat the venue seemed to stop in appreciation of the soothing melody before one by one phone lights scattered the crowd with star-like lights, held up high till the last note of the extended outro of the single violin. 

The energy built at an increasing joyous pace as the band began a slower, acoustic rendition of ‘Total Eclipse Of The Heart’ by Bonnie Tyler accompanied by keys player, Kyle Simmons. This only built further as “Green Army” chants rippled the audience, with drummer Chris “Woody” Wood fashioning the newly released Argyle kit, swooned upon by many in the South-West. The lights rose for an intimate chat from Dan Smith to reflect fondly on the previous gig they hosted at The Eden Project, and even briefly mentioned the time passed between their last festival as a band, promising to bring the same energy. This welcomed an entourage of house remixes of songs like ‘No Scrubs’ by TLC, ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac and ‘Don’t Let Go’ by En Vogue. These electro-pop renditions seemed to bring a new sense of energetic buzz to the head banging, failing armed yelling crowd. 

Taking a quick look at recent releases, the band began to look at songs like ‘Save My Soul’, an apparent favourite to the lead singer who had the title plastered on his jacket, proudly promoting the shift to a new era. This was taken incredibly by all audience members who appreciated a full exploration of their discography.

Finishing the set with crowd pleasers, the seven-piece set up took to singing the pop forward song ‘Happier’, which saw the lead singer jumping in amongst the audience, bringing an intimate feel to the sold-out, large venue gig. To close out a night of fun, Bastille brought back opening act Many Men Soundsystem to join onstage in the highly demanded closing song, ‘Pompeii’. Despite being over a decade old, the classic was welcomed with wide smiles and cheers of joy as the crowd held hands high in the sky to wave out a brilliant night of thrill and community.

Photo Credit: Isobel Greenhalgh