BLOC PARTY DELIVER AT O2 VICTORIA WAREHOUSE – MANCHESTER UK – 31ST MAY 2022

June 4, 2022
UK Concert Reviews
by Billy Seagrave Photographer/Writer

WORDS AND IMAGES BY BILLY SEAGRAVE

‘A Powerhouse Of Intense Techno Rich Vibes, Bringing You Back To The Heady Day’s Of Techno Music’

Heading down to Victoria Warehouse Manchester to catch Bloc Party after a six-year Hiatus, Billy Seagrave was looking forward to finally catching the band in good form.

Touring their sixth studio album, ‘Alpha Games’, Bloc Party returned this year with their first live performances of new material since 2016. With the band best known for their live performances, however the new album has been receiving mixed reviews from fans, so it was interesting to see how the new stuff sits alongside the more established live tracks they usually showcase. Opening the show this evening is ‘The Mysterines’, who are causing a storm across the music industry. It was just a quick trip down the motorway from Liverpool, the four piece take to the stage, with a growing reputation to uphold.

Basically, showcasing their debut album ’Reeling’, which recently charted in the UK top ten album charts. One of the things that immediately stands out, is they have and hold a real presence on stage, lead singer Lia Metcalffe, has a powerful and sultry voice, instantly I got the undertones of the excellent P.J. Harvey, perfect delivery with a voice to match. ‘Life’s a bitch (but I like it so much), stands out as does the title track ‘Reeling’, which seems to loosen the crowd a little.

Callum Thompson, lays down some absolutely insane riffs throughout the set, and along with the chugging base of George Favager, give a depth and rhythm you can literally feel in a live performance, Paul Crilly is the beating heart on percussion, ‘Under your skin’ is spine tingling whilst ‘Old friends / Die hard’, proves to underline how tight and fluid they deliver on stage, I can see plenty of festival slots and headline shows to come.

SET LIST

1/ LIFE A BITCH

2/ IN MY HEAD

3/ THE BAD THING

4/ REELING

5/ OLD FRIENDS DIE HARD

6/ UNDER YOUR SKIN

7/ DANGEROUS

8/ HUNG UP

Opening their show with’ Day Drinker’, one of the better songs from the new album, with a strong chorus and powerful riff, Bloc Party set out to shake off some of the rust that may have gathered over the last few years. As usually happens the crowd tends to favour more of the old stuff as against the new, the band kept up the momentum and persevered, and I believe that this latest album certainly will grow as tracks are aired in the future.

They perform ‘Banquette’ and it was nothing short of electric – instantly engaging the crowd and hauntingly stunning, wandering guitar and hard driven bass Kele Okerekes vocal delivery have not faltered over their six year hiatus. ‘Callum is a Snake’, ‘Of Things Yet To Come’, and ‘Traps’ keep the momentum moving forward. ‘Ratchet’, is released, a powerhouse of intense techno rich vibes, bringing you back to the heady day’s of techno music when drum machines and synthesisers where the flavour of the day, what a way to end the set.

Reappearing on stage to start what would be a five-song encore, the pace was once again dictated by the band, opening with ‘Only he can heal me’, followed by ‘If we get caught’, the final offering from the latest album. ‘Helicopter’, along with ‘Flux’ throws the place into mayhem once more, I doubt there are many bands that can come out to perform who can deliver at this level, the power and range of material now in the locker along with a set of musicians that can play at the highest level is a joy to behold.

Finishing of the night with ‘This modern love’, taken from their 2005 Silent Alarm album, yes 2005 just put the final piece of the jigsaw together on an evening that delivered on so many levels. Bloc Party are a band to embrace Live, live music is the future. Bloc Party – Alpha Games – Out Now

SET LIST

1. Day Drinker

2. You should know the truth

3. Hunting for witches

4. Rough Justice

5. Real talk

6. Song for the clay

7. Banquette

8. In-situ

9. Day four

10. Callum is a snake

11. Of things yet to come