The first time British four-piece Bastille were in Dublin they performed in the Academy 2 we find them on their return to Dublin headlining the 3Arena. Fans queued in the cold from morning just to get to the front. Its a long wait but they assure me its worth it.
Rationale has the grilling task of kicking off the show which I’m sure is nerve wrecking for any band, but Rationale take it in their stride. Tinashé Fazakerly possesses a mixture of Michael Jackson moves with Mick Jagger swagger and Elvis Costello charisma and magnetism. This fresh faced charmer has all the girls going wild. With his energy and pizzazz alone he has the arena in the palm of his hand. He struts up and down the stage with dramatic poses and dance bursts. Not only is Fazakerly a fantastic performer combined with his powerful voice Rationale make an impression that will not be forgotten. With funky tracks sprinkled with soul and coated in body shaking sonic waves Rationale make sure that you not only hear the music you feel it through ever fibre of your being. ‘Fast Lane’ revs up the crowd in this delirious energetic yet soulful frenzy. The pulsing snappy beat and sweet luscious tones on guitar that, might I add look really slick played live. The power, punch and multi texture that the synths provide give the tracks luxurious layers making these tracks deluxe and infectious. Fazakerly gets the crowd dancing and engaging so effortlessly with his magnetism and humorous banter. I found myself gushing about how brilliant Rationale was long after the show. I would highly recommend seeing them live!
Keywest bring the antsy crowd closer to their headline act with an energetic set of tenacious rumbling drum beats and piercing guitar. Lead singer Andrew Kavanagh’s playful banter and cheeky Irish wit keeps the crowd engaged and hyped as they belt out track after track relishing the arena opportunity. Its obvious that Keywest are arena ready as they comfortably draw the crowd in and engage them in a sing along. The quintet made the arena seem like an intimate gig as they held onto their raw fresh energy that too often gets lost at an arena show with over production. Though probably well rehearsed parts seem to be off the cuff and spontaneous which was refreshing and the crowd lapped it up savouring every moment,  proud of the lads achievements from busking roots to the 3arena. Despite the constant reminder from Kavanagh, I cant seem to remember where they will be playing next though……..(March 31st The Olympia Theatre)
Waiting in anticipation the crowd watch a televised feature of a grumbling tightly wound TV newscaster which plays across the four screens of the 3Arena’s stage, if you watch the videos and are one of those devoted  Bastille followers, you will understand the feature if not its still entertaining to watch. This does drag on a bit longer than desired by the audience as they begin to get excited and scream over the safety announcements hoping it was the announcement of the band. When the crowd become really hungry Bastille take to the stage complete with a string and brass section. Opening with ‘Set Me Free’ frontman Dan Smith spirals round the stage in his “Wild World Corporation” t-shirt,  a brand everyone in the arena is well familiar with by now. Bastille blast through their set list with a hurricane of high powered anthems. Its all frantic pogo – jumping and dancing as Bastille step things up with a dazzling flashing lights display leaving their army of adoring fans in thrilling awe of their magnificence. Smith stops to thank his fans after every song humbled and grateful for every bit of support they give him. One thing that really sets Bastille apart from most arena bands out there is their love and genuine appreciation for their fans and this love is returned to them in its masses by their devotees. ‘Flaws’ queues Smiths brave entry into the crowd. As he makes his way to a podium in the centre of the arena he is pulled back and forth, not fazed by this he jumps and dances amongst the crowd amazingly his vocals bar a few shakes remain remarkably intact. Truly humbled by the turnout and the support Smith recalls the last time they were in Dublin in the Academy 2 and once again thanks the crowd. We only receive brief breaks from the intense energy with the slower sweet lull of ‘These Four Walls'(The Ballad Of Perry Smith). ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ sees Smith rush back into the crowd as he encourages the entire arena to dance with him and we witness a sea of jumping as everyone on the floor joins in. Feeling tired from dancing song after song I decide to rest a bit until they explode into ‘Good Grief’ and although my legs felt like they could buckle under me I jumped and danced anyway (feeling the pain of that decision the next day I still regret nothing).
The quartet walk off stage and we await the encore. The crowd chant “Olé, Olé, Olé” to encourage the bands swift return. The lights focus on a spot high up in the rafters where Smith is sitting out over a fire exit stairwell. Backed by guitarist Will Farquarson they sing ‘Two Evils’ not fazed by the height Smith waves at fans in the balcony. No-one feels left out when Bastille perform, they include and engage with everyone even if it is at dangerous heights. ‘Icarus’ returns Smith and Farquarson to the stage and the crowd bellow out the lyrics while Smith spins about the stage and pirouettes with bliss. This manic and energetic set comes to a close with their biggest hit and much loved ‘Pompeii’. Keywest and Rationale are invited on stage to help them out. An outburst of singing from the crowd and massive sound of all the acts on stage lifts the song into legendary status. The three acts on stage and the audience experience a special moment of euphoria and elation leaving everyone in an ecstatic high as they leave the venue.