Bastille took the Main Tent audience by storm

Bastille has topped the charts around the world with their album "Bad Blood" and was one of the most expected performers of this this year's Ilosaarirock. Despite the rain and cold weather, the band made the audience feel warm with their pounding rhythms.

Bastille was surely one of the most fervently expected performers of Ilosaarirock this year. With only one album, they have topped the charts around the world. The British indie-rock band has earned their place in the music scenes with their hits and unique sound. This gig proved that this place is well-earned.

Bastille. Photo: Markus Korpi-Hallila

The atmosphere in Main Tent is so enchanting that one can hear and feel it from far away. It has just started raining and not everyone can squeeze themselves inside the tent. Nevertheless, people are satisfied with standing outside the tent as long as they get a piece of this band. The audience is clapping loudly ten minutes before the gig has even started. Soon the clapping turns into anticipatory chants “Bastille, Bastille, Bastille!”

The crowd is soon rewarded with when the band starts strongly with Things We Lost In The Fire. The singer-songwriter Dan Smith is using the stage well as he almost constantly jumps and moves around it. When he doesn’t, he lifts a singular drumstick and offers his share to the pounding rhythm. As Dan Smith gets in the front part of the stage, the audience starts screaming even louder and the reporter is more than thankful for her ear plugs. Bastille’s sound requires active participation from the audience in order for it to work, and the audience in Ilosaari offers full participation from start to finish.

Bastille. Photo: Terhi Hytönen

The band is offering a comprehensive mixture of songs, cleverly starting and finishing the gig with their most popular songs. The audience is also offered an opportunity to hear songs from their next album. The last song, Pompeii, is a perfect finish for this bombastic gig. The audience dances and jumps in ecstasy to the rhythm and leaves Main Tent with huge smiles on their face. During just one hour, Bastille has made the audience feel a wide array of emotions, from emotional tears to happiness.

Text: Suvi Keturi
Photos: Markus Korpi-Hallila & Terhi Hytönen