The AO Arena hosted a night of up-and-coming music and nostalgia on Friday. Bastille headlining the arena for their 15-year anniversary tour: From All Sides, alongside Better Joy and Sofia Camara.
Better Joy kicked off the evening in their hometown, bringing their indie flair to a large crowd. Their set blended a mix of shimmering guitars with dreamy vocals from Bria Keely, instantly engaging the audience. As the venue filled, their energy grew, setting the tone for a night that felt both intimate and electric. The set closed with ‘Dead Plants’, which felt like the perfect conclusion and was met with cheering fans from all over the arena.
Sofia Camara was next to take the stage, delivering powerful vocals and raw emotion as she led the crowd through a journey of heartache. Before performing ‘Parking Lot,’ she told the audience, “I sing about different types of heartbreak,” inviting everyone to tap into their own emotions. A standout moment from her set was ‘Starlight’ which she dedicated to one of her best friends who unfortunately passed away. The crowd responded in quiet solidarity, waving their phone torches in the air. The mood then switched: “Are you guys ready for some fun now?”, to which she played ‘Girls Like You’. Pink and white lights bathed the venue as the audience jumped and clapped along, completely captivated by Sofia’s presence.
The anticipation rose and it was finally time for Bastille. The band was welcomed by a large roar and cheer from the crowd. The lights dimmed and Bastille took their way to the stage. Before opening with ‘Things We Lost In The Fire’, Dan vocalised to a beautifully played piano. You could call it calm before the storm…
The four-piece delivered a performance that was both powerful and memorable, with the contrasting messages in ‘Shut Off The Lights’ and ‘Good Grief’ with the upbeat nature of ‘Thelma + Louise’. Fans sang every lyric word for word and it was Bastille’s influence over the past 15 years was made clear.
As the set progressed, ‘Oblivion’ opened with a delicate instrumental, while ‘Blame’ and ‘WHAT YOU GONNA DO?’ showcased their songwriting ability covering issues while still creating the perfect signature Bastille tune.
A unique section of the set came with ‘Other People’s Heartbreak’, a section where the band took to the DJ decks and sang to hits in a medley such as ‘No Angels’ and covers like ‘What is Love?’ and ‘Blue Jeans’. It was the perfect addition to the set, especially for a Friday night in Manchester!
The opening to ‘Pompeii’ rang out and the crowd’s energy was still undeniable as ever. Dan invited the openers to join him on stage as a tradition of this tour. Even though the setlist spanned 15 years of Bastille’s discography, the audience embraced each track as if hearing it for the first time, a true testament to how timeless these songs are. The AO Arena crowd gave Bastille their flowers, closing a night to remember filled with classic hits and memories to last a lifetime.
Words by Micha Thompson
Photos by Huw Williams
