Live Review: Bastille, Foxes, Alison Wonderland

With an upbeat attitude and playful performers surrounding her, Foxes was determined to create an atmosphere of fun within the venue. Louisa Allen's medley, featuring Happy by Pharrell Williams and Teardrop by Massive Attack, was a definite highlight, complete with tinkling keys courtesy of her backing band, and echoing vocals sung with a sickly sweetness. The overall aesthetic was delicate as the British lass created a vibe that could be described as leaping through a field littered with bright wildflowers, an infectious energy all but aided by shimmering synths and gospel-style harmonies.
Alison Wonderland, meanwhile, was a flurry of blonde hair and baggy T-shirts. She brought the heat to the kitchen and dared everyone to run far away from the flame. Sampling everyone from Disclosure to Basenji, the blonde-haired bandit produced the heaviest of beats with just a smattering of techno. Mixing R&B with unapologetic house music, her basslines remained intense to the very end.
The crowd erupted with a thunderous roar to greet Bastille to the stage. The band began Bad Blood amidst dark percussion work. A progressive rock feeling emanated from the quartet within the obvious indie sound they're known for. They introduced their new song Blame with dirty guitar licks and gritty vocals. The lyrical component of the song told of defiance and apathy, and was expressed with the wild bending of guitar frets and distorted bass. Things We Lost In The Fire followed a casual canter through the crowd by lead singer, Dan Smith and kept the excitement high with pounding percussion. Trickling synth work was complemented by menacing vocals as the keys brought this rendition home.
Bastille's encore was one to be reckoned with. The band covered Rhythm Is A Dancer by Snap, a clever and enticing rendition. But their final and most well-known hit, Pompeii, would create outright anarchy. A volcanic roar was felt through the floorboards as strong backing vocals echoed around the venue. Bastille created an intense and complex tapestry of instruments to complete their masculine and earthy set.