//EMERY DAVIS//

“You said that maybe this is where it ends

Take a bow for the bad decisions that we made”

The award-winning British pop group Bastille made their way to Colorado for a show of their “Doom Days Pt. 1” tour. Bastille’s Denver show was held on Oct. 4 at the brand new Mission Ballroom, which was built in hopes of improving the warehouse district and helping the area grow into a better environment. Both the venue and performers delivered to the audience.

 The Mission Ballroom is a creative space for artists of all types. Not only do musicians perform their songs there, but local artists are welcomed to the ballroom to present their ideas on the walls through whichever medium they prefer. One of the most prominent works displayed is a mural of brightly colored stripes painted on an arch at the entrance leading to the bar.

Something else unique about the venue is the setup where the actual stage and concert floor are hidden behind a large wall. This setup isn’t typically seen but could actually be a smart idea. Sometimes concerts can be overwhelming and too much to handle, which won’t be a problem with the floor plan. If you get tired or overstimulated at concerts, the nearby lobby and bar area is a great place to recollect yourself and take a breath.

The opening band Joywave was difficult to put into one genre. They’re electronic, rock, punk, pop, alternative and many other subgenres which is why they’re so difficult to categorize. However, if one word was used to describe them, it would be indie.  Joywave has a very unique sound with an ominous and moody tone yet somehow manage to keep the crowd moving or swaying at the least.

Typically, musicians build a story or a concept around their albums, which develops into their set and visuals of the concert. Bastille’s most recent album, “Doom Days,” had a recurring theme relating to the end of the world and humanity’s extinction. The screen set up behind Bastille had a constant display of apocalyptic wastelands and large mushroom clouds, viewed through a bedroom window during some kind of nuclear warfare event.

The songs on the album and performed at the show had a very exciting and catchy beat with lyrics that describe dwelling on memories but also living recklessly and in the moment. Throughout the show Bastille kept the audience’s attention easily. The band made sure to focus on their supporters at the concert, by conversing with them and keeping the crowd energized through their music. What seemed to surprise the crowd most was when the lead singer, Dan Smith, walked through the audience to greet and hug people as he sang the song “Scars” from their album “Bad Blood.”

The concert overall was very well executed and very compelling, thanks to the mix of energy throughout the audience, the crisp sound, a clean space, and a unique album concept.