Spring is finally descending, the sun is beginning to shine; that means one thing, itÔÇÖs time for everyone to realise how much they love Bombay Bicycle Club again. Fitting then that they should pop down to the Great Hall to showcase their impressive new album, ÔÇÿSo Long, See You TomorrowÔÇÖ. The theme of the show is made immediately clear; ÔÇÿwe are not the same Bombay Bicycle Club we were five years ago, weÔÇÖve been travelling and stuff, and weÔÇÖve got a banging brass section now.ÔÇÖ This is true, Bombay Bicycle Club continue to develop and progress as a band, itÔÇÖs absolutely a good thing too.
Some things will never change though. Frontman Jack Steadman continues to dominate the show with his distinctive vocals, and Bombay Bicycle Club continue to delight audiences and get them moving. The overall sound of the band has noticeably changed though; the cultural influences of their year travelling are clearly audible, aided by a plethora of diverse instruments and a stunning visual display. The audience are transported systematically around the globe by BombayÔÇÖs unique and evolved sound. Even fan-favourite ÔÇÿAlways Like ThisÔÇÖ is given a fantastic new brassy spin.
Unfortunately Bombay Bicycle Club are at that awkward level of fame where their audience hasnÔÇÖt really found its place, and the crowd is dominated by people who didnÔÇÖt seem to really know how to go to a show, but had heard of Bombay Bicycle Club, so came along for ÔÇÿthe banterÔÇÖ. This resulted in a not particularly enjoyable crowd, personified by their misreading of SteadmanÔÇÖs announcement of ÔÇ£a quiet oneÔÇØ – in the form of the emotive and stunning ÔÇÿHome By NowÔÇÖ – as a cue to talk amongst themselves about how many pints theyÔÇÖd each sunk.
This aside, the show both looks and sounds fantastic, featuring mostly tracks from their new album. Bombay Bicycle Club prove that despite their popular back catalogue, they have nowhere to go but up and arenÔÇÖt willing to sit back on their haunches. With new hits like ÔÇÿLunaÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿFeelÔÇÖ and the perfect new closer ÔÇÿCarry MeÔÇÖ, nobody even really seemed to mind that the hits they most likely turned up to hear were left by the wayside to make way for a promising and delightful display of new material, in a show that wonÔÇÖt soon be forgotten.