I first saw Glass Animals live at Laneway Festival in Brisbane, Australia, in 2017. My sister and I slowly battled our way through the crowds in sweltering heat and managed to secure a spot right at the barrier – exactly where we wanted to be. Dave Bayley, the band’s lead vocalist, burst onto the stage and performed the entire set barefoot. The next morning, we spotted him having breakfast in the hotel restaurant – still barefoot. Despite the band’s growing fame, there was a clear sense of humility about him.
Fast forward to August 31st at the Azura Amphitheater in Kansas City, and that same humility was evident as Dave was visibly moved by the crowd’s energy.
Just before the show started the audience erupted as the trademark pineapple was brought out on stage. Dave kicked things off with “whatthehellishappening” and immediately set the tone. His energy is infectious and he used every inch of the venue, every corner of the stage, perching on top of speakers, and switching instruments. At one point I completely lost sight of him only to realize he had made his way into the depths of the crowd where he performed one of the band’s most significant songs, and one of my personal favorites, Gooey. Gooey was the first Glass Animals song I’d ever heard and it had an immediate impact on me. It was a sound so different that it instantly caught my attention and scratched a particular itch in my brain I never knew I had. I relished every moment of the live rendition, especially the unexpected guitar solo.
Glass Animals always invests a tremendous amount of thought into their stage design and for Tour of the Earth they’ve elevated the experience to dazzling heights. Their performances are brought to life with vibrant colors, props, and giant screens displaying dynamic visuals and video clips, immersing the audience in their wonderfully zany world.
Dave moved through the setlist, blending fan favorites like “Youth,” “Heat Waves,” “Tokyo Drifting,” and “Pork Soda” with newer tracks from their new album, I Love You So F**cking Much*, including “Wonderful Nothing,” “A Tear in Space (Airlock),” and “Creatures in Heaven.” He handled a technical error with the synth during “Tokyo Drifting” like a pro, keeping the momentum alive.
For the encore, Dave delivered stunning performances of “The Other Side of Paradise” and “Heat Waves.” The atmosphere was electric, and it was evident that he was genuinely moved by the roaring applause from the crowd. He paused to acknowledge that Kansas City was one of the first cities in the world to embrace Glass Animals, making this performance feel like a heartfelt homecoming for the band. As they bid us farewell, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being part of this unforgettable night in such a special city.
