BASTILLE GOES BIG AT BARCLAYS CENTER

Even in a huge arena like Barclays Center, it is evident that Bastille cares more about the music and fans than anything else. Tickets were reasonably priced (even for the GA section right in front of the stage). They got a great opener to support them on tour. And front man, Dan Smith, performed an entire song on the main floor while being mobbed by fans trying to take selfies.

Mondo Cozmo lit up Barclays Center with an energetic opening set that bridged the gap between folk and rock. The Los Angeles based band is the brainchild of Joshua Ostrander, formerly of Eastern Conference Champions. Ostrander combines his scratchy vocals with an eclectic mix of sound to keep listeners guessing. One moment you think you’re listening to a vintage punk rock band (re: “Sixes and Sevens”) and the next you wonder if you’re hearing the next Bob Dylan (re “Shine”). The crowd was wowed when they closed with a cover of The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony.”

Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo

Mondo Cozmo

Bastille’s entire performance Thursday night was framed like their most recent album, Wild, Wild World – adult without being too serious and just the right amount of madness to make you lose yourself in the moment. Each aspect of production contributed to the messaging. They had two Greco-Roman figures perched above the stage watching over the performance like Greek gods. Intermittent news bits and movies introduced different tracks and informed the songs’ subject matter. And then there was the music.

Bastille

Bastille

Bastille

Bastille

Bastille

Bastille

The British outfit opened with “Send Them Off!” and went on to play over twenty tracks. Smith ran from left to right singing to different fans and launched himself off platforms. When they performed “Good Grief” you couldn’t tell if the band or the crowd was louder. They played “Pompeii” for their final song. Bastille will continue its United States tour through mid-May with appearances at Coachella Music Festival and the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California.