As the last ever band to play Earls Court before the bulldozers move in, Bombay Bicycle Club made a little bit of rock history.
“To say religious experience would understate it,” said Elbow’s Guy Garvey in the spoof futuristic pre-show film purporting to be the view of this momentous occasion from the year 2039.
He wasn’t far off as the indie-rock band from Crouch End created a carnival atmosphere for 17,500 delirious young fans with pyrotechnics, psychedelic projections and endlessly inventive tunes.
It helped that the quartet were supplemented by a brass section and extra percussionist, as well as a trio of talented female guest vocalists — Rae Morris, Lucy Rose and Liz Lawrence — on Luna, Lights Out, Words Gone and Home By Now.
There was also an appearance from rock royalty as David Gilmour sang Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here with Bombay Bicycle Club and played lap steel guitar on their lovely, folkish song Rinse Me Down.
“This man gave me my first guitar and was also one of the first people to play in this venue,” said guitarist and family friend Jamie MacColl.
It was one of many magical moments during this fitting and joyous farewell to Earls Court.
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