Bloc Party
Photos and review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography
It’s been two decades since Bloc Party first made indie rock history with 2005’s Silent Alarm, a debut album that fused guitars, tight rhythms, and kinetic urgency into a sound that jumped off of some of our mid-80s UK band favorites but also felt entirely their own. Twenty years later, the band is on the road celebrating their legacy and showing they’re still just as electrifying.
As part of their 20 Years of Bloc Party: Performing Silent Alarm & Greatest Hits tour, the band delivered a high-octane performance at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA on June 14th that paid tribute to the original material while updating it with their evolving maturity. The set opened with selections from Silent Alarm, transporting fans back to the energy and brilliance of their early days– “She’s Hearing Voices” kicked the night off strong, with crowd singalongs continuing through the whole 14 songs plus 5 song encore set.
The show wasn’t limited to Silent Alarm nostalgia. A dip into dance-heavy Intimacy with “Mercury” offered everybody a reminder of the band’s fearless experimentation. And tracks like “Blue Light” brought some calm before the fans surged again with “Song for Clay (Disappear Here).”
With every transition, Bloc Party moved through their post-punk beginnings to their moody, synth-driven masterpieces. Frontman Kele Okereke’s vocals were a force, hitting everyone’s ears with precision and emotion, as Russell Lissack, Louise Bartle, and Harry Deacon flanked him on stage.
Supporting acts helped kicked the night off right. First up was Family Dinner with their raw energy and talent, and then Blonde Redhead took the middle spot with an intense, atmospheric set.
This tour is a tribute to a great album, but it isn’t a look back, it’s a reassertion of the band’s lasting impact and is proof that their music is enduring and feels as fresh as ever.
For all the latest news and information, check out blocparty.com and catch them on one of their many upcoming international dates.
