Glass Animals have been on a steady and upward ascent following their acclaimed record Dreamland and the unexpected success of their hit single “Heat Wave”. Having been a band for several years now and building a loyal and passionate fanbase, Glass Animals are entering their most accomplished era yet and the band returned to Philly this time selling out the Mann Center Pavilion stage and delivering a captivating live experience in the process. Touring off their most recent record “I Love You So Much” Dave Bayley and company were in top form, the new record sounded grand and exciting live with standouts such as “Whathehellishappening”, “Show Pony” and “On The Run” sounding especially exhilarating. Frontman Dave Bayley is no stranger to crowd interaction and fan immersion and his physical and high energy stage presence was a sight to behold, most notably when he jumped into the crowd for fan favorites “Gooey” and “Youth”. The setlist was a engaging showcase of the band’s most recent record but it also seamlessly integrated songs from across their catalog, from classic cuts such as “Life Itself” and “Pork Soda” to choice Dreamland cuts “Tokyo Drifting” and “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” each era of Glass Animals was well represented. Credit also the the band’s eye for imaginative set design as the current production was a vibrant and visually appealing throwback to old school sci-fi films that provided the perfect backdrop for the band to translate the album on stage.

In addition to Glass Animals, opener Kevin Abstract formerly of alternative hip-hop group Brockhampton delivered a strong opening peformance. With a vibrant stage presence, Abstract powered through both his solo material and choice Brockhampton cuts with plenty of style and sincerity to spare and he maintained a notably strong connection with the audience throughout even bringing a fan on stage at one point. Credit also to his dynamic sound as well which deftly combined various elements of rock and hip-hop while remaining cohesive and managing to make the most out of even the shortened songs on the setlist. While Abstract’s set was short in nature, he remained fully invested from start to finish and made a lasting impression with his electric, soulful and well-rounded performance while also showcasing both his solo and Brockhampton output effectively.

Many times when a band is gaining a strong momentum in their careers, it can often feel like a make or break moment. In the case of Glass Animals, the band have fully risen to the occasion and have proven their live show is one of the most immersive and accomplished out there. With their inventive energy, sheer passion and constant imagination, Glass Animals show no signs of their tremendous momentum slowing down anytime soon and their current Tour of Earth is further testament of their artistry. For fans both new and firmly established, this tour comes highly recommended. For more information regarding their current tour and releases, be sure to follow Glass Animals on all social media and streaming platforms!