A Concert In "DREAMLAND"

   Chill, dance, unwind, party…all of these words can be used to describe the mood that Glass Animals can evoke. The versatility of the group is one that makes the band poised for absolute success and longevity. Admittedly, I myself was a bit late to the party when it comes to Glass Animals. It wasn’t until 2016 or so that I first heard the band’s music. The song “Gooey” from the 2014 album “Zebra” quickly became a favorite, making it’s way onto a number of my Spotify playlists. There was something so inviting about the soothing melody and vocals of front man Dave Bayley that just made all my worries and stress melt away. 

Fast forward to 2022, The Anthem, Washington DC (SOLD OUT!). I would finally get my chance to see the band live in concert! Based on the songs I’d heard from the band prior, I expected a more toned down, mellow kind of show, the type of show you’d expect to attend in a smaller more intimate setting. While the show did feel this way at times, the overall experience was more like a party and I could not have been happier with my experience.

The good time, party vibe was further portrayed by the band’s visuals on stage. Psychedelic lights and graphics on a huge led screen that filled the entire back of the stage. The atmosphere was that of being at a Miami pool party with palm trees, a diving board, and even a pool itself. The energy of the crowd was electric and was seemingly matched in it’s entirety by front man Dave Bayley. Talk about someone who knows how to command and engage a crowd, Bayley is certainly one of those people. His efforts were immediately rewarded with love from the fans only two songs in, when the venue erupted into a chant, spurring Bayley to say he felt as if he never left home.

The show would see the group perform a 15 song set, 13 preliminary with a 2 song encore (full setlist below) wrapping with the hit song “Heat Waves”. Despite being released in 2020, “Heat Waves” has topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for the past four weeks straight. According to Billboard, it becomes the longest-running #1 hit in America by a British band since Spice Girls' debut chart-topping hit Wannabe.

This would be the final show of the band’s current DREAMLAND Tour run. The group is slated to begin a run of festival appearances including sets at the Lightning in a Bottle, Boston Calling, The Governors Ball, Glastonbury, Open’er, and Lollapalooza Stockholm Festivals, amongst many others later in the year. Upcoming show dates and tickets can be purchased at the band’s website glassanimals.com

Setlist 3/30/2022

1      Life Itself

2.    Tangerine

3.     Poplar St

4.    The Other Side of Paradise

5.     Space Ghost Coast to Coast

6.     Waterfalls Coming Out Your Mouth

7.     Your Love (Déjà Vu)

8.      Take a Slice

9.       I Don't Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)

10.   Youth

11.   Helium

12.   Gooey

13.   Pork Soda

ENCORE

14.  Tokyo Drifting

15. Heat Waves

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