Tonight sees Bloc Party revisiting Bristol’s O2 Academy for the first time in a long while and with a new album released in April 22 this was sure to be a good place as any to play some new material.
Support this evening comes from our friends, indie-grunge Liverpudlians, The Mysterines. With a set pulled from their debut album Reeling, they get a great reception from the crowd and it’s perfect start to what promises to be a great evening of music at a much loved venue.
At 9pm on the dot, the lights go down and Kele Okereke, Russell Lissack, Justin Harris and Louise Bartle make their way onto the stage to a frenzied reception as the lights blaze out over the crowd, it’s been a while after-all! Kele shoots a quick glance at the other 3 and Bartle starts a controlled roll on his snare drum and bang – it’s straight into Day Drinker, first track from new album Alpha Games. Franticly paced and snappy, with Kele’s immaculate vocals, the crowd show their appreciation with a roar, it’s clear to see that Bloc Party mean a lot to them. Within a heartbeat and with no pause it’s straight into You should know the truth.
Next up it’s Banquet with its unmistakable tribal drum intro. It’s the trigger the we’ve been waiting for as the whole place suddenly bursts into life and the crowd turns into a sea of movement, frantically slamming and throwing themselves around with little regard for their own wellbeing. The whole place is rocking – quite literally!
Kele is clearly impressed with the levels of enthusiasm on display and quips that they’re having too much fun for a Monday night! A quick adjustment to his guitar and he launches into the fat riff of Traps second track from Alpha Games. It’s monstrous, the audience are hit with a wall of sound, deep and powerful, driven along by the crisp high hat of Bartle. It’s classic Block Party with its playful guitar patterns and sudden ending. The main set is finished off with The Prayer and Rachet.
As they reappear, Kele acknowledges how much fun they’ve had and offers thanks. He goes on to explain that it’s time for a breather and they’re away to play you a song they don’t do often so count yourselves lucky. With that, we get treated to The Healing from 2013’s FOUR LP. It’s mellow warm melody offering comforting embrace before a final sonic onslaught.
Helicopter this sees the whole venue moving in unison as the spectacular light show with its bright white strobes and deep red stage lights creates a maelstrom for the senses. This is followed by Flux with its sweet melody and the racing tom tom rhythms.
The announcement that next one was the last song is met with boo’s and laughter. You get the sense these loyal fans could like this to go on all night. Kele dedicates the song to the audience as This Modern Love washes out over the auditorium. You feel that they’ve saved the best till last as the words are sung loudly back to them.
It’s been a long wait but worth it. Bloc Party are still one of the best live bands out there.
Words and pictures: Martin Smith