Photography by James Perou
Words by Dale and a special thanks to James Perou for letting us use his photographs.
After the success of Bloc Party’s debut album Silent Alarm, Kele and the boys released their follow-up A Weekend In The City just before they return to Cardiff University for the third time to another sold-out show. It’s good to see that a band who have become as successful as they have and not changed, the guys look just like they did when we first saw them. Walking on stage to a packed hall of students and stale smell of sweat already in the air, they kick off with the opening beats to the current single, The Prayer to their dedicated, over-excited fans.
Having never seen they guys play before I was unsure what to expect of them, but fair play they are sounding awesome so far. The next offering is Positive Tension before another of the second album Hunting For Witches. Bloc Party’s mix of Indie Rock and Post Punk is a great change to the rest of the bandwagon, fashion victim bands of the moment. The mix of songs from both album works really well and it’s nice to hear peoples cheers for the new tracks aswell as old, but things did get excitable for the brilliant Like Eating Glass as nearly everyone there was joining in with the song. Although there is not much onstage banter with Bloc Party the intensity is immense, no gimmicks here just amazing music.
No classic gig is complete without an encore and tonight is no different, some might say they used the ‘save the best until last’ tactic but I’m not sure. Returning to the stage with So Here We Are which gets a reception they could not be happier with before another off the Silent Alarm, She’s Hearing Voices which equally goes down as well. The band surprised us by playing Sunday off the new album, not a choice I would have a thought for an encore but the band have the confidence to play what they like tonight and we’re all going to lap it up. When we hear the opening for The Pioneers that’s the point were we all know it’s almost over and everyone make the most of it. As this show comes to the end it feels like minutes since they first come on stage and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.
Bloc Party have done what they do best tonight and everyone seemed to be smiling from start to finish. The band could not of picked a better collection of songs tonight to showcase their career so far and lets hope it’s a long one. During the show Kele announced that A Weekend In The City is the most popular record in the UK according the mid-week chart and I hope they get all the success they deserve with this record.
Set List
The
Prayer
Positive Tension
Hunting For Witches
Blue Light
Banquet
Waiting For The 7.18
Song For Clay
This Modern Love
Like Eating Glass
Two More Years
Little Thoughts
Helicopter
Encore:
So Here We Are
She’s Hearing Voices
Sunday
The Pioneers
