Queue Diaries: Bastille, Royal Albert Hall
Bastille performed iconic London venue Royal Albert Hall last week. We went down and got chatting to some fans, and Songkick users, who were in the queue.
5.30am last Monday morning, what were you up to? We’d be still tucked up in bed, maybe you were facing the Monday morning blues on a long commute, or hitting the gym (yeah right). None of those things crossed the minds of the most passionate Bastille fans, or Stormers as their fandom are collectively known, who were already at the front of the queue — 16 hours before they were due to hit the stage at London’s iconic venue Royal Albert Hall.
Cristin
Commitment doesn’t come much stronger than flying across The Atlantic to see a show. Avid Songkick user and Bastille fan, Cristin, had been braving the queue since for hours to secure that ever desired barrier spot. First catching the band on a whim during a trip to Vegas five years ago, with the same support band they’ve bought along tonight, To Kill A King, Cristin’s excitement for catching Bastille live shows no signs of slowing down.
Though Bastille will also fall at the top of her list, Cristen also has plenty of hot tips about other artists we should all be tracking. “I saw Sigrid because of Songkick, Tokio Myers i’m seeing next week because of Songkick, Future Islands, Lissie, Garbage. A lot a lot! I rely on Songkick.”
When asking asking about the best gig she’s discovered through the app, another London indie-rock band springs to mind, Childcare. “They are an up and coming London band and I’ve come out here from America numerous times just to see them.”
Less easy to pin down is when we ask about favourite Bastille songs, “Oh mate that’s like asking me which my favourite kid is! (and I don’t even have any kids)….” after a few minutes of deliberations, toying through options from their impressive catalogue including two number one albums and an array of EPs and singles, we finally eke out World Gone Mad, The Silence and Two Evils as much listened Bastille hits.
Stacey
When you’ve been to 43 Bastille shows, like Stacey has, you get to know how to work the queue. Arriving at the crack of dawn Stacey is dead set on securing a prime spot for this evening’s show.
As you may have noticed, being a Bastille fan is no joke. The ever changing nature of their live shows came up over and over in conversation and gives a hint to why they have such a dedicated following.
“Every show they do is very different, they always try to put spin on different shows and they interact with the crowd loads. This show they are doing now is completely spun on its head, it’s with a big choir and completely different to what we saw last time. Every time you go to a show you’re going to be surprised and blown away by something different.”
Georgina
When chatting to fans, like best friends Jemma and Georgina, words like a welcome distraction, safe haven and support network are used time and time again. Attending a show seems to be as much about their weakness for the band and the addictive nature of their gigs, as the sense of family and belonging amongst their fans.
“I didn’t have to get here this early, i’ve got seats tonight, so it’s literally like the whole part of like just hanging out with your friends and being able to catch up… we have the same interests, but also if we have worries or anything we’ve always got people that we can speak to and it’s really nice. Our anchors! They’re our anchors!”
Though we’d love to chat to the queue for the rest of the evening, and forge our way into the family, there’s a commotion. Numbered raffle tickets in hand and a rush of excitement, the doors open and the wait is over. The crowd disappears inside. Though we’re sure we’ll be seeing some familiar faces down the front of the queue….very soon.
