Bloc Party in Denver
It’s a fact that many indie rock shows are boring. The songs are overly scripted with little room for improvisation, the bands often lack energy after driving themselves through the night in a cramped van, and they aspire to recreate the sonic details of their recordings. Fair enough. So it’s always a thrill when a band (an international buzz band, no less) goes out and tears their CD to shreds and absolutely destroys a room. The opening night of Bloc Party’s first widespread U.S. tour was such a show.
I’ve been raving about the energy level on Bloc Party’s recent Silent Alarm - it’s one of the more unhinged rhythm section recordings I’ve heard in years. But live, they loosened what remaining harnesses were in place and played a riotously raw set of music. Most tracks started faster than on the recording and finished even faster. Guitarists Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack flirted with effects and noise guitar all night while the top-notch rhythm section pushed harder and harder. Sweat filled the room (drummer Matt Tong played shirtless most of the night) from the stage to the back of the crowd.
The Gang of Four comparisons are even more accurate live, but with less of the overt political baggage. They knew their role was to rock hard, play good songs, and have a good time. And they delivered.