BASTILLE + SOFIA CAMARA + NADIA SHEIKH – BRIGHTON CENTRE 16.11.25
Arriving at the Brighton Centre on 16th November, it was immediately apparent just how fiercely dedicated Bastille’s fanbase remains. By early evening, a committed group of fans — some of whom had queued since 9:00am — wrapped around the venue, many having followed the band across multiple dates on this anniversary tour. Among them were the now-recognisable group affectionately named by security as “the 90,” identified by the numbers written on their hands. As soon as doors opened, they were fast-tracked inside, sprinting to secure their agreed spots at the barrier. Their excitement set the tone for the night: this wasn’t just another tour stop, but a gathering of a travelling community ready to celebrate 15 years of Bastille.
Opening the evening, Nadia Sheikh stepped onto the stage in a striking black lace dress with a subtle gothic edge — a look that perfectly complemented her emotive indie pop–rock sound. Much of her set drew from her recently released EP ‘Done & Dusted’, offering a showcase of the dynamic range she has already developed as an artist. Sheikh shifted effortlessly between intricate guitar picking, soft introspection, and bursts of full-bodied rock energy.
Her voice — hauntingly pure and instantly distinctive — carried the emotional weight of each track, cutting clearly through the arena acoustics. Midway through the performance came one of the night’s warmest surprises, as Will Farquarson of Bastille joined her onstage. Together, they delivered an intimate acoustic rendition of ‘Future Me’, offering a gentle pause in the evening’s momentum and eliciting a delighted reaction from the audience.
Sheikh closed her set with ‘Memories’, a reflective track about the lingering reminders of someone lost, followed by ‘Shadows’, leaving the crowd with a final surge of clarity and emotion. With her blend of vulnerability, power, and artistic identity already firmly taking shape, Nadia Sheikh is undoubtedly one to watch as her trajectory continues upward.
Nadia Sheikh setlist:
‘The Shadows’
‘Waiting’
‘Fade Away’
‘How To Lose A Friend’
‘Future Me’ (with William Farquarson)
‘Memories’
‘Just A Shadow’
As the stage was reset for the next act, the audience was treated to a now-recurring moment on this tour. Cameras onstage began to roll as Dan Smith appeared out in the crowd — part of an ongoing filming project believed to be for an upcoming music video. Even though some dedicated fans knew to expect it, the reaction was explosive. Screams echoed across the arena as Dan danced among the fans, who responded with a shimmering sea of raised phones lighting up the venue. The brief sequence transformed what would normally be a lull between sets into a shared, euphoric moment of connection.
When Sofia Camara took the stage, she brought an immediate surge of emotional energy. Her set — filled with soaring ballads and powerful anthems — showcased the richness of a voice that manages to feel both contemporary and timeless. From the opening lines of ‘Ingrained,’ the audience sang along with impressive devotion, transforming the arena into an echo chamber of heartfelt lyrics.
Camara’s gift for connection was evident throughout. She spoke openly to the crowd, sharing gratitude for her rapidly growing fanbase, admitting with a laugh that she should have new words for how thankful she is, but all she has is a sincere “thank you” and “I love you all.” Her honesty only endeared her further.
Midway through the set, she paused to set up a crowd selfie. After checking in with the front row, it was decided that everyone would pose with heart shapes, and the resulting photo captured both Camara’s warmth and the audience’s enthusiasm. It felt like a genuine exchange rather than a staged moment.
She closed with ‘Who Do I Call Now?’, a cathartic finale delivered with impressive emotional force. With sold-out headline tours already behind her and performances of this calibre defining her rise, Sofia Camara is clearly on a fast upward trajectory, poised for even bigger stages.
Sofia Camara setlist:
‘Ingrained (DNA)’
‘Parking Lot’
‘Here We Go Again’
‘Starlight’
“Unknown”
‘Who Do I Call Now? (Hellbent)’
The arena erupted once more as Bastille took the stage, opening with the crowd-favourite ‘Things We Lost In The Fire.’ Voices filled the venue instantly, and the band kept the energy high with back-to-back performances of ‘Shut Off The Lights’ and ‘Good Grief.’ It was an electrifying start, powered by a production design that could easily hold its own in much larger venues.
This 15-year anniversary tour unfolds like a memory book, though not a chronological one. Instead, Bastille curated a setlist that jumps between eras and emotional moments, piecing together songs that reflect their evolution — both musically and personally. Yet the night was not just about looking back. A standout moment came with the introduction of their new song ‘Save My Soul,’ offering a tantalising glimpse of the band’s future direction. Its reception from the crowd was immediate and emphatic.
The sense of camaraderie onstage — between band members and with the audience — was palpable. Dan Smith, in particular, was restless electricity, sprinting across the stage, jumping on risers at each side, and ensuring every corner of the packed venue felt included. His performance embodied the band’s trademark blend of high energy and emotional sincerity.
Beloved tracks ‘Flaws’ and ‘Happier’ drew some of the loudest singalongs of the night, while the band’s popular mixtape medley added a playful burst of covers creativity. As the show reached its finale, ‘Glory’ delivered a final swell of euphoric unity before the unmistakable opening of ‘Pompeii’ brought the house down. The entire arena roared the chorus in what felt less like a performance and more like a communal anthem shared by thousands.
Whether a die-hard follower or someone who only knows a couple of their hits, the show delivered on every front: high-octane, emotionally resonant, visually stunning, and deeply engaging. Fifteen years in, Bastille proved not only that their legacy is secure, but that their next chapter may be their most exciting yet.
Bastille:
Dan Smith – lead vocals, piano, keyboards, guitar
Kyle Simmons – piano, keyboards, backing vocals, bass
Will Farquarson – bass, guitar, backing vocals, piano, keyboards
Chris Wood – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Charlie Barnes (touring member) – guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals, percussion, bass
Bastille setlist:
‘Things We Lost In The Fire’
‘Shut Off The Lights’
‘Good Grief’
‘Quarter Past Midnight’
‘Warmth’
‘Flaws’
‘Oblivion’ (with snippet of ‘Weight of Living, Pt. 1’)
‘Blame’
‘What You Gonna Do???’
‘Fake It’
‘Hope For The Future’ (with snippet of ‘World Gone Mad’)
‘Doom Days’
‘Adagio For Strings’ / ‘Bite Down’ / ‘No Angels’ / ‘Requiem For Blue Jeans’ / ‘Don’t Let Go (Love)’ / ‘Bad_News’ / ‘Weapon / Dreams’ / ‘What Would You Do?’
‘Of the Night’
‘Survivin’’
‘Icarus’
‘Save My Soul’
‘Happier’ (Marshmello & Bastille song)
(encore)
‘Two Evils’ (shortened)
‘Glory’ (with snippets of ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘The Waves’)
‘Pompeii’
