Back in town for the first time since 2009, Bloc Party bring a boisterous long since sold-out crowd to the sweaty Academy for an 18 track reunion belter.
Everything about Bloc Party tonight is precision. The band more than live up to their tight reputation on stage from Kele's superb range to Russell's angular Greenwood-esque guitar. Matt and Gordon keep it all together, Matt semi-clad as usual, clothes an unnecessary risk to his machine-gun pelting of the drumkit and Gordon beefing up the groove ten-fold.
3 years is not long in the current climate for a band to be between records but the reception that the band are given surely shows the delighted surprise and gratitude for not only getting back together (when an indefinite hiatus seemed most likely) but also movng back to the guitar-led focus of the first two albums.
Although Octopus most definitely sounds better live than on new record 'Four', it lacks the killer bite of their earlier work. It is rescued by some virtuoso guitar techniques from Russell, clearly still continually adding to his repertoire of Marr/Greenwood experimentations. The double delay riff on the Telecaster takes some seeing to be believed but you can't help feel that it is let by down by a weak chorus.
Moving through the gears, the band are in celebratory mood, Kele and co are clearly chuffed to be in demand still, albeit at a time where indie rock seems to be heading back underground. 'Hunting For Witches' lifts raises the roof, it's lyrics never more apt than in today's paranoid society drawing on criticism of the nation's press long before Radiohead's recent attack on the Daily Mail.
'Kettling' is an interesting one that goes down well. Bordering on metal with a driving bass and screaming vocals it's a juggernaut blend of 'Myxamatosis' and 'Pure Morning' a clear hit in the moshpit. Cue much spillage. Indeed more than half of 'Four' has a much thicker, darker and heavier feel that may not open the door to new fans but certainly shows that the creativity and fearless quest for new sound is still apparent.
Older fans will have certainly enjoyed the next 15 minutes that followed. 'Song For Clay' with it's borrowed 'Paranoid Android' riff played backwards is a highlight at the best of times but carefully segued into 'Banquet' has the crowd whooping and nodding to one another. 'Waiting For The 7.18' provokes an unlikely singalong about a trip to Brighton on a track that is slightly faster than usual, the band doubtless keen to get on with showing off the new album.
In 'Team A', Kele nonchalantly promises; 'I'm going to ruin your life' in a track that has more edge and threat than a bank holiday bar crawl in nearby Stokes Croft. 'V.A.L.I.S' draws on the keen disco beat of 'I Still Remember' with heavenly jangling guitars melting on top of one another deserving it's applause if not entirely for the courage to include the words 'Theophany' and 'Phenomenology' in a coherent way.
'This Modern Love' shows Bloc Party doing what they do better than anyone, floating melodic guitar and electronica with a heartfelt 'Throw your arms around me'; a bittersweet ode to the misunderstandings of modern day relationships. 'We're Not Good People' is fantastic in a live arena, it's funky bassline and Kele's rasping vocals answered in retort by Russell's spitting guitar; it's a bonkers ride that feels like 'Hysteria' meeting 'Song 2'. Into the encore and 'One More Chance' has everyone dancing, it's piano beat reminiscent of early '90's Hacienda house. It's a clear contrast from the heavy clashing of the previous tracks, again showing the band's creative versatility and proving that their influences stretch further than the well reported indie/rock elite.
'Helicopter' finishes the first encore and is despatched in a whirlwind that can't last long enough. It's a quick tempo guitar-hero monster that has its audience united in singing 'Are you hoping for a miracle'. If miracles do come true then surely a headline Pyramid stage slot next June would prove testament.
A bonus encore of 'Truth' and 'Flux' round things off well. The former consisting of more resonating chopsticks guitar and heartfelt lyrics building into a lush middle section showing that for all the hard edged rock on the album, the band still know how to write melancholic anthems. 'Flux' complete with bizarre Rhianna intro is a lighthearted dance/electro hybrid that whilst not being one of the band's better set closers does highlight the wide palate of sounds and styles that they now have at their mercy for now highly anticipated album number five.
A thoroughly enjoyable set from a band that seem rejuvenated and ready to move on. Pulling songs together from 4 albums and b-sides/additional singles shows that Bloc Party have the back catalogue and creative appetite that most of their peers are sadly lacking. Hopefully another summer of festival appearances and follow-up album will come but for now there is no doubting that their fantastic live reputation is solidly intact.
Setlist:
- Octopus
- Trojan Horse
- Hunting for Witches
- Positive Tension
- Kettling
- Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
- Banquet
- Waiting for the 7.18
- Team A
- V.A.L.I.S.
- This Modern Love
- We Are Not Good People
Encore:
- Signs
- One More Chance
- Ares
- Helicopter
Encore 2:
- Truth
- Flux
Best Track - Watch online through link below:
