A glorious and heart-warming return of one of the most adored bands in modern music.

“It’s amazing to be back!”, Glass Animals‘ frontman Dave Bayley expresses halfway through the set and you can’t help but feel the all-encompassing love in the room. Tonight feels truly special as it marks the band’s first London show since drummer Joe Seaward was involved in a cycling accident in 2018.

Embracing the positive reaction from the crowd, the group seems to be at the peak of their powers; joyous, grateful, and fortunate to grace the stage together again. Surrounded by idyllic scenery, with palm trees adorning the venue, it paints a vibrant image of Glass Animals’ remarkable world. Taking us on a roller-coaster of a journey through their biggest hits mixed with a fresh dose of their new material, the intimate performance is nothing short of excellent.

Opening with their new single Tokyo Drifting, the party mood is full on from the get go. Groovy rhythms and dark, trance-inducing electronics chase away the Monday blues in an instant. Song after song, Glass Animals continue to set the bar higher, as we immerse ourselves in the dazzling show. They have been missed dearly, and it shows.

Thriving on a myriad of layers and textures, Glass Animals’ music builds a spectacular sonic realm and to witness it come to life is a delightful experience. From the old school GA tunes, such as Black Mambo, Hazey, and Gooey, to killer tracks Life Itself and Youth, the band brings their all, exuding an infectious energy and charisma.

Bathed in a golden hue, Tangerine delivers one of the highlights of the night, alongside poignant Agnes which slows down the pace a little bit. Next, a cover of Crazy by Gnarls Barkley creates a thrilling sing-along moment, just before Pork Soda rounds things off. With pineapples being tossed up into the air, the finale couldn’t have been more fitting.

Balancing between psychedelia, indie electronica, and everything from pop to trip hop, Glass Animals have created a unique sound, an intricate dimension of limitless possibilities, cementing their position as a genre-crossing beast. Filling up the void we all have been feeling in the last couple of years, their London show has proved the band to be in a superb form, back and ready to take over the world. We can’t wait to see and hear what the future holds.

Photos: Kasia Osowiecka