Under the spotlight: Bastille

2023 marks a huge anniversary for Bastille. The band, who are appearing as headliners at this year's Highest Point festival are marking ten years since the release of their acclaimed album 'All This Bad Blood' which helped to elevate their status to the very top of British pop with tracks that pretty much everyone knows. 

Forming in 2010, Bastille came together after singer Dan Smith had spent time writing songs whilst at the University of Leeds, where after he graduated, he moved down to London. Eventually connecting with drummer Chris Wood, guitarist/bassist William Farquarson and keyboardist Kyle Simmons, they named themselves after Bastille Day, which is also Smith's birthday.

A year later and the band would find themselves signed to EMI Records and it wasn't long before the band would make their first appearance on the UK charts, with 'Bad Blood' reaching number 90. They kept on rising up the chart from there, with 'Pompeii' reaching number 2 in early 2013. 

It was in the same year that they launched 'All This Bad Blood', which is still one of their most celebrated albums. It would launch them into countless award nominations and plenty of adoring fans. Tracks such as 'Flaws' and 'Pompeii' are fan favourites, with the latter having one of the most memorable chorus' within pop music over the past decade.

Their second album, 2016's 'Wild World' cemented their status as deliverers of euphoric pop, able to rouse you in an instant, tracks such as 'Sent Them Off!' and 'Good Grief' were clear highlights and there can be no surprise that the album went on to top the charts, with it quickly becoming certified Gold in the UK.

In 2019, the band were back with their third album 'Doom Days'. It was recorded in the band's South London studios and it was all about the highs and lows of a night out with your friends. Their most recent album 'Give Me The Future' was released in 2022 and was another chart hit.

It was their most futuristic effort to date and saw them updating their pop sound to incorporate more forward-thinking textures. All of this has led to them becoming one of the biggest pop bands in the UK. Arena-fillers that have a catalogue of uplifting and gripping songs, there is surely even more of a legacy to build.

The band will be heading to Highest Point this year to headline the festival and we'd expect every single person in the crowd to be singing along to their hits.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.