After seeing Bastille at Music Hall of Williamsburg last fall, I knew I had to see them again the next time they were in the area. I was fortunate enough to get tickets when they went on sale through Ticketmaster, and did not have to sacrifice my first born to the secondary ticket market, as many other people who were waiting to get in did. A friend of mine flew in to see them, and we met up with people that I knew from the MHoW Bastille show.
The Venue: I've been to Webster Hall before (Bombay Bicycle Club, Japandroids, and a few other shows), and really enjoy the venue - it's a great space with a bar in the back and on house right, as well as a bar upstairs (if I recall correctly). Also, love the coat check downstairs (best $4 you'll spend; makes dancing around much easier). Given how cold it was out, they let people into the Sports Bar while everyone waited for house open. I was not one of those people, but waiting out in the cold wasn't too bad.
The Crowd: This time around, the crowd was a bit older (maybe it was the midweek show), which was nice; not as many screaming teens. Everyone seemed really excited, and there were only a few instances of the "let me push through to find my 'friend'," which, again, I think the older crowd was a factor.
The Band: Ah yes, the reason why everyone was there. The opener, Grizfolk, was pretty good. I only heard one of their songs previously, but it wasn't bad. And then, BASTILLE. Now, I'm not one to fangirl, but there is something about them that brings the fangirl out of everyone. Maybe it's their good looks, or their talent, or their English charm - I think it's a combination of all of that. Dan Smith writes beautiful songs, which sound just as good acoustic as they do with a full band; and are so moving live. They play as though they are having a lot of fun, and as if it could be their last performance, as in they seem to fully realize that the attention they're receiving could be a flash in the pan. Hopefully, it won't be. The set was extremely high energy, and those who have seen them before, or watched videos of their live performances were waiting anxiously for "Flaws," where Dan comes down and sings as he walks through the crowd (and sometimes stumbles as he climbs back onstage). I think they're getting used to playing live, as they seemed much more relaxed and comfortable on stage. Additions to their set from their last time they were in NYC included "The Draw," which can be found on All This Bad Blood. It has a darker, harder, more guitar heavy sound that works so well. My only complaint is that it went by too fast. If it were possible for Bastille to play every song they have, including all the covers, I would be in heaven. They, however, would probably be beyond exhausted.