After all the auto-tuning, updating and fixing, record labels undertake when processing an album, It's normally noticed by many people how 'fixed' the record is, after they see the band or person perform live. For recent rising band 'Bastille' I can honestly say this isn't true. If anything, the album doesn't give them enough credit for the amount of talent they have.
Dan Smith, lead front man for the band, used 'Bastille' as a secret undercover name to be able to put his music out on the Internet without people knowing it was himself.
"A big part of it was me not wanting to have to front something - which is kind of what it's ended up being."
However it looks like he hasn't been able to keep his identity a secret for long. After playing over 30 festivals last summer; playing a sold out 3 day 'Triangle' tour and with the release of their EP Pompeii last month, the limelight was set for them. They also released a debut album only a few weeks ago on March 4th; the success of the band has reached levels they didn't believe would happen.
NME:- Bastille: 'Chart success feels like a joke'
Currently touring with their debut album 'Bad Blood' the four-piece band played to a sold out crowd at Southampton's Mo'club on the 7 March 2013). The big fan I am, I jumped at the chance to go see them and have been waiting ever since I purchased the tickets last year. All I will say is - It was worth the wait. The atmosphere surrounding the club was astonishing; as it was a small venue the sound surrounded every inch and exploded into the faces of the many awaiting fans. Personally I prefer gigs in small venues, it feels more personal and it makes it more of an incredible moment when you're that close to your favourite band.
Song after song - the excitement amongst the crowd rose and didn't show any sign of stopping. It is pretty unbelievable to see four men performing with so much enthusiasm, so much shock in their faces with the crowd's screams and full on singing of the words to every song. There were plenty of smiles being thrown back and fourth between every band member. The interaction with the crowd made it all very realistic.
They played every track from the debut album as well as their hit singles, Bad Blood and Flaws. It was nice to see the majority of the crowd knew the words to their album songs, which had only been released recently; you could see the dedication within their expressions; it was like an optical illusion.
A large amount of passion stormed last night's performance, of which I have never seen before in any of bands I have seen. Having only just released an album, for a band, which hasn't long been in the industry there was no doubt about it, they knew what they were doing. It was also pretty apparent that they are just surprised as I am that they have shot straight to 'fame' even before the album was released. However, you could also see the nerves slip through at the start. This was easily changed when they got into the performance. By the reaction of their crowd there was no way it wasn't going to help the band perform to their best. There's nothing better than playing to a sold out venue of people who genuinely want to be there.
You have to give it to them they have worked very hard to get where they are; even if Dan isn't keen on fame, the amount of touring, supporting, festival gigs and promotion work they have done, you can see why most people have at least heard the name.
"I don't think anybody, least of all us, expected the album to go to No 1," Read more: - http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/bastilles-dan-smith-the-quiet-man-who-cant-stop-singing-8535042.html
It is pretty obvious it hasn't hit them yet, blasting through the UK charts with the album 'Bad Blood' - which ended up reaching no.1 on the Itunes chart, they seemed so shocked at the amount of fans that were waiting outside the Mo'club venue when the show finished. Yes, I was one of those 'stalker-ish' fans wearing my original Bastille triangle tour tee and queuing for ages just to get a photo and a little chat.
The best thing about them is that they are just normal people, who want to do something that they love. I was stood with a few friends of mine when we finally squeezed our way to Dan Smith. The shocked look on his face that I was presented with made me wonder what I had done. To my relief, he was just shocked I had one of the original Bastille t-shirts on.
By the performance I saw in Southampton they for sure know how to put on a show.
Keep your eyes peeled for this growing band - they are going to go far. There is no doubt about it.