Conall Stacey discovered Glass Animals when Heat Waves hit the FIFA soundtrack, but seeing them live at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena showed him they’re much more than just that hit song. A wild and creative set and strong support from The Big Moon meant a night to remember...
Before Glass Animals took the stage, indie rockers The Big Moon kicked off the evening with serious energy.
They shared a story about going bowling next door after soundcheck, joking that Soph (their guitarist) had won but warned us about the Slush Puppy sugar rush they were still riding, stating it was going to be "one of those shows."
Their enthusiasm was infectious, and it wasn’t long before the crowd was swept up in their energy. Their cover of Praise You was a perfect warm-up and got everyone dancing. Their original song Daydreaming was another highlight.
Then, it was finally time for Glass Animals! Before they even stepped on stage, the giant screens showed two animated universes (just like on the album cover) talking about how excited they were for the show. It was a quirky, unique intro that really pumped up the crowd. They opened with Life Itself, and the arena exploded with energy.
The lights and lasers throughout the set were some of the best I’ve ever seen, even rivalling shows by electronic acts like Orbital. It made every song feel huge, creating a whole new dimension for the music.
For the songs Creatures of Heaven and Lost in the Ocean, everyone in the arena turned on their phone torches, creating a stunning sea of lights. I’d been handed a piece of blue paper to put over my torch, while the other half of the crowd had red, and together, we created a gorgeous, colourful atmosphere that added to the emotion of these tracks.
Together, we created a gorgeous, colourful atmosphere
As the set wrapped up, the same two animated universes reappeared on screen, saying, “This can’t be it… they haven’t played Heat Waves yet!” And, of course, they returned to give us the encore we’d all been waiting for.
Glass Animals delivered an unforgettable show with an incredible mix of creativity, atmosphere, and energy. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t miss it—they’re truly out of this world.
Glass Animals performed at Motorpoint Arena on 3rd November 2024.
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