Bastille’s Candlelight show at St George’s Hall in Liverpool was nothing short of mesmerising for fans and a stark contrast to the band’s usual arena-sized spectacles.
The majestic setting, paired with the warm glow of candlelight, created an ambiance that was intimate, yet grand, perfectly suiting the stripped-back performance.
We felt lucky to be a part of one of the very limited Candlelight Original Sessions, described as “An extremely intimate four-part series of candlelight sessions to celebrate the release of the album “&”.
Bastille’s frontman Dan Smith has described ‘&’ as a “collection of story songs”. ‘Part One and Two’ of the album were released over the summer, consisting of the tracks: ‘Intros & Narrators’, ‘Eve & Paradise Lost’, ‘Emily & Her Penthouse In The Sky’, ‘Blue Sky & The Painter’, ‘Leonard & Marianne’ and ‘Seasons & Narcissus’. So you can probably see why the album is called ‘&’.
What made the evening truly special was the connection between the Dan and the audience. With the usual barriers removed, there was a genuine sense of closeness that permeated the space. Dan’s vocals took centre stage, his voice resonating through the hall with a raw vulnerability. His storytelling between songs was a highlight, sharing insights into the creation of their music and offering personal anecdotes that gave the evening a conversational, relaxed feel.
For a deeper dive into the characters on the album you can listen to, ‘MUSES: An Ampersand Podcast’ – a new podcast blending music, history and storytelling. Smith and academic/podcaster Emma Nagouse (BBC Radio 4’s You’re Dead to Me and BBC Sounds’ Homeschool History) collaborate to uncover the lives of the poets, artists, anthropologists and trailblazers featured on the record and break down Dan’s journey of transforming their lives into songs for “&”.
The talented band on the stage with him added a richness and texture to the setlist, elevating the arrangements. The acoustics of St George’s Hall played a pivotal role too, amplifying the delicate harmonies and ensuring that each note filled the historic space to perfection.
The entire experience was a testament to Dan’s versatility and his ability to create magic, no matter the scale of the performance. It was a night that will linger in the memories of those who were lucky enough to witness it.
‘&’ is out on all streaming platforms on 25 October. You can pre-order the album on CD and vinyl via Bastille’s website.
