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Concert Review: Bombay Bicycle Club at Brooklyn Steel
by Evan Cheung

UK-based indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club made waves this January after announcing that they were ending their three-year hiatus and making new music. I have been a massive fan of them since 2011, and I was ecstatic to hear that they were getting back together. They later announced that they were going on tour across the United States to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their debut album “I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose.” When I found out that one of their shows would be on October 8th at Brooklyn Steel, I did not hesitate to buy tickets.

Brooklyn Steel is an old steel manufacturing plant that was recently turned into a music venue. Think Terminal 5, but in Brooklyn. The industrial-inspired concert hall was spacious with good viewing angles of the stage. I managed to find a spot in the front row when The Greeting Committee, the sole opening act, went on. Those of you who attended last year’s Corefest are probably familiar with their high-energy set. Their performance at Brooklyn Steel was no different. The lead singer wasted no time jumping around the stage and hyping the crowd up. By the end of their set, the crowd was energized and ready for the main act.

A little while after The Greeting Committee’s set, Bombay Bicycle Club took the stage and opened with “Emergency Contraception Blues,” the first track off their debut album. At this point, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. From there, the band’s set was full of songs that spanned their entire discography. Fan favorites like “Shuffle” and “Evening/Morning” were mixed in with deeper cuts like “Lamplight” and “Your Eyes,” and each song got the crowd singing and dancing. After performing their new single “Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You),” lead singer Jack Steadman commented on how surprised he was that people knew the lyrics. This remark highlighted how dedicated their fanbase is.

The crowd’s energy could be felt across the venue. Everyone around me knew the lyrics to all of their songs, which is amazing considering how long they have been out of the game. Everyone was having a great time, and this energy was noticed by the band members, who were smiling for the entire gig. We could tell they were beyond excited to be performing as a group again. They eventually ended their set with the ever-popular “Always Like This” before retreating backstage. Upon hearing the crowd’s chants for an encore, they returned and ended the night with the song “Carry Me.”

Bombay Bicycle Club’s set at Brooklyn Steel is one for the books. Their eclectic set of indie rock bangers far exceeded my expectations. It was one of the best concerts I’ve been to, and I look forward to see what’s in store for the band. They have announced a new album due early 2020 with a UK tour to promote it. It is only inevitable that they return to America. In other words, “So Long, See You Tomorrow.”