Bloc Party @ ThebartonTheatre, Adelaide (23/11/08)

Mon 24th Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

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Rock around the Bloc!

One of the most highly anticipated gigs this year would have to be UK’s Bloc Party. After selling out the Thebarton Theatre show in less than an hour the expectations were high and they did not disappoint feeding on the energy and excitement of the crowd.

From a fan perspective this will go down as one of the highlights for 2008 as I seriously can’t remember the last time I enjoyed the whole concert experience from start to end. For a venue that holds a couple of thousand people I think nineteen hundred were on the floor lapping up the sights and sounds of Bloc Party.

Van She opened proceedings and they are one of those bands who you either love – œem or loathe them. I thought they were solid despite a few technical issues early on in their set. Standouts include Cat & The Eye, Strangers, Sex City and Kelly.

By the time Van She wrapped things up the atmosphere was starting to building as people tried to find the best vantage point to see the main act. Once the lights dimmed there was a huge roar as Kele Okereke, Matt Tong, Russell Lissack and Gordon Moakes hit the stage.

Their intentions were made clear right from the barnstorming opening of Trojan Horse from the new album Intimacy. The energy was fever pitch and Bloc Party was relentless playing hit after hit and front man Kele did praise the crowd saying – œyou’re pretty good’ considering it was a Sunday night. I think the crowd collectively appreciated the sentiments that it has taken far too long to get to our neck of the wood.

Singles Hunting For Witches and The Prayer went down a treat and the sell out crowd showed their appreciation twith an almighty roar. The banter between songs was humorous especially when Kele mentioned how the band had always wanted to come to Adelaide – œbecause that’s where everyone goes when they leave Neighbours. There was also a reference in there about opinions on the new Baz Luhrmann masterpiece Australia. The classic gag that got me laughing was when Kele said that – œI don’t think Nicole Kidman’s botoxed face is historically accurate’.

Nevertheless, the way the set list was connected was brilliant with the band thinking like DJ’s. It seemed as if there was a relationship between the band and crowd, which was definitely one of those rare things experienced at a show.

There were plenty of great moments scattered through the set with Positive Tension, Banquet, Song For Clay, Signs and Talons being highlights for me. The encore was a mammoth feast for the senses with Mercury, Flux, Ares and Like Eating Glass to bring the show to an end. Given the price of concert tickets these days I would doubt that anyone would have walked away disappointed.

Let’s hope that it doesn’t take this long for the Bloc Party to return next time.

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