With their Songs from the First 15 Years tour transforming the O2 Arena into a nostalgia-soaked celebration, it feels like the perfect moment for Bastille to showcase the full breadth of their catalogue.
Having spent over a decade plying their trade and earning three UK number one albums along with a string of major hits, it felt only right to mark the band’s 15-year evolution. The tour’s final night landed in London, where over 19,000 fans filled the venue, many sporting Bastille merchandise spanning the band’s entire career. Opening the show were Bradley Simpson (of The Vamps) and Sofia Camara.
From the opening note, it was clear the night would trace the band’s history. Opening with Things We Lost in the Fire, the band, who were now performing as a seven-piece, immediately highlighted just how much they’ve grown since their debut album Bad Blood dominated the charts. The arena was lifted as Shut Off the Lights injected an assuring burst of life, with vocalist Dan Smith pacing all corners of the stage with a cool confidence. Their wealth of anthems quickly became apparent, as Good Grief and Quarter Past Midnight seamlessly followed. The crowd were in full voice, the atmosphere was at an all-time high, and the band were revelling in every moment.
One of the evening’s standout moments arrived when the band welcomed GRAMMY Award Nominee Myles Smith onstage for a textured rendition of Flaws, prompting a wild reception from the crowd, who were eagerly loud in response. Following with Oblivion felt perfect; thousands of phone lights were lifted into the dark while a stirring violin line created a beautifully sombre moment of connection. With such a deep catalogue to draw from, the band’s ability to shape the night’s momentum is an art in itself; chaos and brilliance collided as WHAT YOU GONNA DO??? triggered the first confetti blast and sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The band’s command over the atmosphere felt completely natural, with Smith introducing “The most depressing part of the show,” a trio of slower, emotional songs that held the entire arena in rapt attention. No Bad Days pulled at the audience’s emotions, before Hope for the Future took over, Smith’s vocals cutting cleanly through the O2 with unassuming sincerity. Doom Days reignited the room, its rap-rock energy erupting midway through as Smith prowled the stage, delivering each line with fiery conviction. London was alive again.
The sheer range of genres on display was remarkable; one moment you were wiping away tears, the next you were belting out a fan favourite, and moments later you’d find yourself in the middle of a full-on rave. The Other People’s Heartache mashup did just that, offering a refreshing detour in pace as the O2 transformed into a club. A medley of tracks like No Angels, Weapon and Dreams, paired with relentless lasers, sent London into a frenzy; a stark contrast to the mood just minutes earlier. The euphoria was undeniable as Smith and the band stepped behind a DJ setup to construct the spectacle. As it reached its peak, the shimmering opening to Of the Night ignited a huge cheer. It wasn’t long before another wave of confetti showered the arena, which had fully erupted into one giant celebration.
Survivin’ bought the energy back down gently, with fans chanting along to its carefree melody. Smith held the crowd in the palm of his hand all night, effortlessly guiding them through the motions. A new track, Save My Soul, became another standout moment as the audience was invited to join in on the chorus; rising artist Ruti also stepped onstage, delivering beautifully layered backing vocals. The song has been a highlight throughout the tour and will be released on the 21st November 2025. Their 2018 Marshmello collaboration, Happier, capped off this section before the band slipped backstage ahead of the encore.
Two Evils carried a striking rawness in Smith’s vocals, before a wholehearted thanks were given for the unwavering support they’ve had throughout the tour. Glory bought the energy up a level, even through a piano-led interlude that weaved in fragments of Bastille tracks like Another Place. All paths led to the only fitting finale: the communal, earth-shaking anthem Pompeii. The band brought out all their special guests back onstage to share the moment, while the crowd’s singing nearly drowned out Smith entirely. The night hit its peak with the largest confetti explosion yet, an unforgettable, wildly euphoric spectacle. There was truly no better way to end the show.
Bastille’s Songs from the First 15 Years proved to be a triumphant throwback at their journey thus far, and a masterfully paced celebration of just how firmly their music has embedded itself into the past decade. It’s clear the band’s passion remains as strong as ever, and although this tour is wrapped, fans can almost certainly expect to see them lighting up festival stages next summer.
