If you’re a musician, band member or just a z-list celebrity, you know you have to keep the fans happy and roll through their town once in a while. So, two sold-out shows for a group of guys from England should keep the Vancouver locals very happy. That group of guys are Bloc Party. Just so you know.
As the Commodore gradually reached full capacity, and the too cute/too young schoolgirls lined the front stage barrier, the guys were behind the scenes getting ready for the final installment of the weekend. The band strolled on stage, casually dressed with smiles from ear to ear, looking far too relaxed which must be a clear sign that they are used to this reaction by now. Even looking back on my London days and watching them perform in toilet venues, the crowd would be wild—which is exactly the same tonight.
Bloc Party opened up powerful as ever with “Trojan Horse,” “Luno” and “Hunting For Witches” to warm up the crowd. Guitar genius, Russell Lissak, stood behind his floppy hair, head down and fingers gliding up and down the fretboard. Drummer Matt Tong was making the dance drum beats look easy, and bassist Gordon Moakes was pitching in with backing vocals and occasionally a few spins.
Front man Kele Okereke was a bubbling pot of charisma and knew how to entertain the audience without strumming a chord or singing a note.
Front man Kele Okereke was a bubbling pot of charisma and knew how to entertain the audience without strumming a chord or singing a note. Adding in between songs little stories about how he was held at knife point on East Hastings Street, how the Commodore smells like the bottom of a bong and, above all this, he loves Vancouver.
During the set they paced things down with “So Here We Are” and “This Modern Love” but not long were we back to the more recent, electro stuff like “Flux,” “Mercury” and “Halo” for the crowd to stomp to. They disappeared briefly as the crew set up a second drum kit which Gordon sat behind a few minutes later for the encore to assist Matt with a gorgeous version of “Sunday.” As the show came to a close, Kele kindly let the crowd know that this will probably be the last time we see them for a few years as the four of them joined together and bowed to the audience while leaving us to dance alone to Dirty Dancing’s “The Time Of My Life.” Until next time….
Words and images: Lauren Keogh