Photo above/video below by shootmepeter.com.
Nearly a year ago, I saw Bastille perform a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, and completely annihilate the crowd - and I mean that in a very positive way. Relax... they didn't take out the whole audience. Heads were bobbing up and down and just about everyone from tweens to 20-somethings to fathers of those aforementioned tweens - were singing along to arena-thumping pop/rock songs that put the London band on the map. Even though everyone knows it by now, let's talk about that shall we? Their debut Bad Blood spawned hit singles like the title track, "Things We Lost in the Fire," and, of course, the mega-hit "Pompeii." I'm pretty sure the album sold a bajillion copies in the UK and the states combined, and yes, I'm making "bajillion" a word and it's probably accurate. Alt-rock and mainstream radio had a field day with their songs.
But, Bad Blood was released in 2013, and things are winding down. This summer will mark the end of an incredible journey for the record as the band (frontman Dan Smith, drummer Chris Wood, bassist William Farquarson, and keyboardist Kyle Simmon) finishes up road work before hitting the studio. But, they're going out with guns blazing. Bastille are currently touring the states briefly via the Mercedes-Benz Evolution Tour before heading abroad to finish up their run. Before you check the embedded video below, here's a few things you should know about their stateside shows:
The Evolution Tour blends killer cars with killer choruses. Specifically, it promotes the Mercedes-Benz GLA and CLA models along with flashes of fashion and art to complement the music. MB did this last year with Alabama Shakes and other artists, and the response was all kinds of awesome. So, here we are... The tour started June 23 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, and will continue through Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin. Bastille will handle Chi-Town and the City of Angels while alt-heroes Passion Pit will take over the Atlanta show. Austin's headliner will be announced soon. For more info, check it here. OK, enough. Let's get back to Bastille, because they're having probably the best two years of their lives.
Following their Hammerstein soundcheck, the foursome spoke with A-Sides on the impending end to the Bad Blood tour, being road warriors in general, mash-ups (you have to listen to their take on TLC's "No Scrubs"), and new material which will no doubt be here within a year. Oh, and since cinephile Smith was sporting a retro Ghostbusters shirt that classic and upcoming reboot naturally came up. So, who ya gonna call?
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman:Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles - just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change.
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About A-Sides With Jon Chattman:
Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres of music performing a track and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles, just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over-manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists have included fun., Charli XCX, Imagine Dragons, James Bay, X-Ambassadors, Joe Perry, Gary Clark Jr., STP, American Authors and many, many more!
