By bailey rodriguez | november 26, 2024
While seeing a favorite artist live is always an adventure, witnessing Bastille in an unbelievably intimate setting took that excitement to another level. Add to that knowing this exclusive tour would never happen again and the anticipation and buzz were justly unmatched for this concert, with only three shows in the entire U.S. It is not unheard of for band founder Dan Smith to showcase his works in exceptionally gorgeous venues, but the choice of United Theater’s Spanish gothic style blew the experience out of the water on November 23rd. The stage was understated yet elegant, with warm lighting that gave the space a cozy glow and an intimate nature. Beneath the soft, ambient lighting, opening act and band member Charlie Barnes captivated the room with the gentle, heartfelt melodies of his own original songs.
Soon the unmistakable voice of Dan Smith filled the space, his powerful yet vulnerable delivery drawing the audience into every lyric. Bastille’s performances are typically high-energy, but this tour was set out to be much different as it was highlighting the new tender album Ampersand. A few band members were missed but it gave room for other wonderful talent to take place. These stripped-back arrangements let each song shine in a different light; it showed layers of emotions and storytelling that are often masked by the full production.
The audience was silent with wonder, entirely in a hypnosis of sorts, it seemed, lest the magic of the moment be shattered by even a slight sound. The atmosphere in the theater remained altogether calm, reflectively quiet, even when Dan occasionally answered spontaneous questions and interactions from the fans. The waves of emotion appeared to hit at different moments for the fans; most becoming overwhelmed when hearing an entirely remastered acoustic of Good Grief with such extraordinary new voices, other being brought to tears by the soulful pain in Eve & Paradise Lost. It was undeniable that passion was palpable.
As the last notes faded away in that theatre, it was clear this wasn’t just a performance of Bastille but a rare, intimate experience, well and truly felt by all in the audience. Everyone walked away with a heart full to the brim, having witnessed a performance and album quite literally one of a kind.
Bailey Rodriguez is a freelance photographer for Majestic Music Magazine. See more of her work here
