BASTILLE - Bad Blood X Tour
Manchester - Castlefield Bowl
Friday 7th July 2023
Yesterday I went to see Bastille for the 5th time with Holly at Castlefield Bowl Manchester for the Bad Blood X Tour - celebrating 10 years since they released their first album Bad Blood. When they first came out 10 years ago I didn't follow them so didn't get to see them for their first tour and only seen them when they toured their 2nd album Wild World in Manchester arena in 2016. So it was good to be able to hear this album live and actually know every song word for word as it has been out that long.
It was probably the best Bastille gig I've been to and was basically on the barrier with just the one person in front. Wasn't the best Dan vocally though as he was struggling with his voice and said he was losing it. They've played quite a few nights already of the tour and were supporting Duran Duran in America. They were still amazing and can't fault them.
I was already in Manchester for the day as I stayed with Kelly and Josh the night before. Doors were at 5:30pm and I got there just before 4pm to queue. Holly was working from home and getting the train down so had to come find me inside but found me really easily as she got there for 6:15pm.
Pre gig dinner from Wazuzhi (formerly Wasabi) in Chinatown
Salmon nigiri, salmon maki, salmon California, Katsu chicken California and salmon and avocado California - £9.90
Was good I enjoyed it.
They had a DJ set when we got in then the first support was a guy called Michael Aldag at 6:45pm. He's from West Kirby which is over the water from Liverpool.
Michael Aldag
He was good but I wouldn't be listening to his music. He had good stage presence.
The second support was at 7:45pm - Irish singer song writer Orla Gartland
Orla Gartland
She wasn't as good and the music was too loud so couldn't actually hear her.
Then it was Bastille at 9pm... 258 photos and 10 videos later... I don't know why I do this to myself as I have to go through them all, delete loads and pick the best for the blogpost!
Bastille
He didn't stand on here enough when this was directly in front of us!
Happier - close but not close enough to be touching!
The guy behind me threw his phone to Dan to get a BeReal!
Even with Dan losing his voice he gives it everything! We really liked the venue it was small and it was nice to be outside and it wasn't that hot. Would go back to the venue and can't wait to see Bastille again!
They played the whole of Bad Blood - threw me off starting with Pompeii as that's usually the finisher but it happens to be the very first song on the album. There was intervals between songs where they played videos that they recorded when they were on the road from the very start.
They did a Instagram story vote earlier on in the day to vote what song we wanted to hear out of The Draw, Send Them Off the 3rd option I can't remember. I voted for The Draw which won. They also did No Angels, What You Gonna Do??? Happier, Million Pieces and Of The Night and finished with Shut Off The Lights. You can see the setlist here. Did so much jumping I'm surprised I managed it as I have bad knees. They did feel a bit sore this morning and I trained legs in the morning!
Need to get next year's gig booked in..
