Bloc Party at Brighton Centre
Bloc Party – The Brighton Centre – 24 October 2009
Words by Anja Pomeroy / Photos by Marcus Maschwitz
This month is Bloctober. Yes that’s the name of Bloc Party’s English tour that has been full on. We went to go watch them in Brighton and once again Bloc Party did not disappoint.
“Let’s drive to Brighton on the weekend”
I’d seen Bloc Party earlier this year so I was full of excitement as I knew what they would deliver but I really hoped that the Brighton show would be as amazing as London’s. This could be hard seeing that the band is from London and has a huge following here but the Brighton Centre soon filled up and around me I saw the mix of people that I saw at the London show. There were a few more different types of people and it really is wonderful Bloc Party has the diverse appeal that it does, they attract all kinds of people from so many different backgrounds, ages and lifestyles.
Some guy in the balcony section who I assume is a big fan started screaming “Bloc Party! Bloc Party!” while the DJ played Dizzee Rascal’s Bonkers. The rest of the crowd soon started clapping and before we knew it the lights went down and Bloc Party burst onto the stage with breathtaking lights. They opened their set with Waiting For The 7.18, which was perfect as the chorus is “Let’s drive to Brighton on the weekend”. During the beginning of the show Kele (the lead singer) was already off the stage and against the barrier. The crowd was now in a frenzy of joy created by the guys. The set included good old favourites in the form of Signs, Hunting for Witches and Modern Love. They also played their one of the new songs One More Chance which is absolutely excellent and makes me so excited to hear the new album.
Matt Tong, the drummer, removed his shirt which managed to get the girls all hot and bothered and so many started shouting for the rest of the band to get their kit off, alas it wasn’t happening and Kele said “It’s so hot in here I feel like I should take my shirt of but then again we are a bloody rock band not JLS”. Bloc Party really know how to get the party started and to keep it going and even though I had a seated ticket I found myself getting up and dancing and singing the words at the top of my voice (and I wasn’t alone). The band really performs so well and Kele has an awe-inspiring voice. The lights and music work so well together and there is no denying that they put on a damn good show.
The second half of four songs included the favourite Flux and they managed to keep everyone up and dancing for the last part of the show. The band left the stage and the crowd started to disperse which was a silly mistake – we always want more from Bloc Party. The band quickly returned to the stage to end the show with She’s Hearing Voices. Kele was amazing as he ended the show by getting over the barrier and joining the standing crowd. Flashes of cameras were non stop as fans were singing the end of this song with their hero. It was a marvelous show.
November 14th, 2009
Hi i really liked your review. i went to this concert in brighton on the 24th and strangely i was on the balcony with a few friends and we began the “bloc party” chants, we were all hitting our hands on the side of the balcony to keep it going! lol.. where abouts were you ? Did you see matt throw his drumsticks in the crowd? it was amazing! lol