Live Review: Bastille, Foxes, Alison Wonderland

The early crowd staking out floor space at Festival Hall is thoroughly entertained first up by warehouse-party specialist Alison Wonderland pumping out the beats.

Next up, English rose Foxes looks more tropical beauty in her matching pinky-red floral skirt and off-the-shoulder ruffle top. She kicks off her heels quick smart to dance, jump and twirl freely about the stage like she just don't care. The crowd especially gets into intense synth-pop numbers Youth and Clarity, while a haunting mash-up of Pharrell Williams' Happy (sung sadly) and Massive Attack's ethereal Teardrop is a completely unexpected delight. Foxes totally impresses with her powerfully rich voice, confident performance and all-round general gorgeousness.

Massive screams and a sweeping, popping lightshow indicate Bastille is now in the house. Starting with Bad Blood and Laura Palmer, lead singer Dan Smith bounces around pumping his fist and getting the crowd jumping. Moving onto the keys to play the sweetly understated Overjoyed, the crowd sings along – just loving it. Smith kindly apologises that Oblivion is “an incredibly depressing song”; it's nothing but atmospheric and uplifting when the crowd hold up their iPhone torches and wave them around like glittering stars, which prompts a mid-song, “Wow!” from Smith.

The stage is a flood of red and orange light for Things We Lost In The Fire, the catchy tune coming to life beautifully when played live. Everyone's a bit stunned when Smith jumps off stage and starts walking through the crowd singing Flaws. Happy fans rush up to shake hands, crowd around him and enjoy the massive love-in. Jumping back on stage and disappearing with the band for a few minutes, the fired-up audience howl, stomp their feet in the darkness, then completely explode upon Bastille's return.   

Some chick swept up in the moment throws her pink bra straight at guitarist William Farquarson, just as Smith teaches the crowd easy dance moves for their clever mash-up Of The Night. Watching people crouching down on the floor then jumping straight up and bouncing together – pink bra now slung over the mic stand, glowing brightly fluorescent – is pretty damn funny. The crowd then lose their shit completely over manly-chanting big-hit Pompeii. Girls hoist themselves onto boyfriend's shoulders, the jumping and screaming reaching its peak. Bastille put on an amazing, ridiculous and incredible live show. You've been told. Don't miss them next time.