Imagine Dragons at Brixton Academy

It was just 12 months ago when Imagine Dragons landed in London for the first time to play their debut concert on the tiny stage of the Dingwalls. A year later they are headlining three sold-out concerts in a row at the legendary Brixton Academy.

The setlist might not have changed much but they have grown from being a promising American indie-rock band to a solid international act.

What makes this show different? The self-conscious stage presence of frontman Dan Reynolds; a bigger sound with heavier guitars and drums; and a manifest awareness of their potential as a band.

After a spectacular instrumental intro, the set kicks off with Round and Round, one of the last songs to join their debut album Night Visions in its deluxe release. Running and dancing from one side to the other, Reynolds interacts with his public, which is no longer exclusively made of teenage fans but now also many in their 20s, 30s and even 40s. He tells the crowd that “we were told this is one of the best venues to play in the world” and admits that he couldn’t believe the pictures in the dressing room showing the unbelievable people that have headlined here.

The band also plays 30 Lives, dedicated to their fan Tyler Robinson, who passed away due to a rare form of cancer when he was only 17. This is a very touching moment and the song is arranged with a graceful violin alongside a moving video.

It doesn’t take long to get back to a happier and rockier mood thanks to their hit Demons (you can see a live footage of Tyler Robinson at the end of the official video), Underdog and the giant multicoloured confetti-filled balloons that made an appearance during new single On Top of the World. It’s now time for a confession from Dan Reynolds: “We started the band five years ago, we rented out a flat and had a whiteboard with our goals. One of the first was to tour the UK”.

We have been touring for the past year and a half and we miss our homes and friends … but we are happy to play here because this is the place where we feel at home”.

Radioactive – a track that sold an impressive six million singles worldwide – closes the set, before a powerful and dramatic encore with Nothing Left to Say. The band promise to be back next year with a new album – we surely can’t wait for it.

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor

For further information about Imagine Dragons and future events visit here.

Watch the video for lastest single On Top of the World here: