Live

Bloc Party

Liam McGrady 15/04/2005

I last saw Bloc Party about a year ago. They were decidedly average if my memory serves me correctly. Their songs sounded half formed and the sound they produced was thin. I really couldn't see what all the fuss was about. But after tonight's gig, can I just say; what a turnaround!

Striding onto the stage, the band are greeted by the traditional volley of drinks launched up into the air, in all directions, from the Glasgow crowd. Frontman and indie icon, Kele Okereke, is momentarily shocked. He dodges the first few plastic cups, and smiles nervously; but then his new found confidence comes out as he walks to the front of the stage and gives a “come on then” gesture. And Bloc Party have got every reason to feel confident after a top 5 album, and with some high profile festival slots lined up.

Now I can't remember to do anything as trivial as actually making any notes at gigs, recording the setlist and whatnot, so apologies for drifting into lazy journalism mode but here are: Memories from the best gig I've seen this year…

… A guy is on his back, crowd surfing, going absolutely mad. He's a mass of energy, his hair flails all over the place; and it's only the second song of the night - but what a song. 'Positive Tension' is all about boredom apparently, and well, yeah it is, but tonight it's one of the most thrilling things I've ever heard. While we all nod along to the moody verses, what we're all waiting for is the magical breakdown and change of direction, “Why d'you have to be so hysterical, why d'you have to be so hysterical, why d'you have to be so hysterical, why d'you have to be; SO FUCKING USELESS!” It's the sort of moment that the words “spine-tingling” were invented for…

… Russell is lost in his own little world at the side of the stage. He's a bundle of floppy hair, a whirlwind of noise, (and he looks every inch like a mini Johnny Greenwood), he's strangling the neck of his guitar and powering out the thunderous riffing at the end of 'Banquet'. Kele watches him and smiles; the sort of smile that words can't sum up…

… The place goes wild, people raise their arms in the air and drinks are spilt but no-one cares or notices, because we're all watching Bloc Party tearing through the Punk Funk gloriousness of 'Helicopter' at a frightening velocity. Bum notes are hit in the over eagerness and palpable excitement, and the band slip in and out of time, but again no-one cares or notices; the crowd is too busy throwing chocolate bars at Kele and screaming along with the refrain of “Are you hoping for a miracle?”…

…Matt Tong's trippy drumming introduces 'She's Hearing Voices' and the crowd pre-empt the intro of “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!” The whole band look at each other and grin; at the realisation that hundreds, no thousands of people know their songs inside out…

…After the finale of 'The Pioneers' we all drift to the exits with the words, “We will not be the last, we will not be the last” ringing in our ears. If tonight is anything to go by, “we won't be the last” to be blown away by Bloc Party…