Bloc Party w/ Corbu
Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA
09.17.16
In the seventeen years since their formation, Bloc Party have gone from menacing rock band to devotional indie electro-poppers. The change may have garnered them mediocre critical reviews for their two latest albums, including 2016’s Hymns, but the fans are still focused on their big British beats. Their tour stop at Seattle’s historic Neptune Theatre had everyone singing their hearts out.
New York synth-pop three-piece Corbu opened the night, their first time playing in Seattle. While the crowd grooved in the dimly lit room, they also seemed somewhat impatient to see Bloc Party play. The band seemed to have something printed on their faces, dressed in white, with illuminated squares on their chests. While they did an admirable job, they seemed a bit too dreamy for Bloc Party’s high energy.
When Bloc Party came out, there was high energy from beginning to end. The band played almost their entire debut album, 1999’s raucus Silent Alarm, which seemed to be exactly what most of the fans wanted to see. Focus stayed on lead guitarist/vocalist Kele Okereke, especially given that some of the band members have recently changed, but the new lineup proved impressive.
By midway through the set, the crowd had created a most pit in the middle of the floor, and it didn’t stop for the rest of the night. Clearly the band was onto something. So much so that they made it all the way to a second encore.
Bloc Party Set List
Only He Can Heal Me
So Real
Hunting for Witches
Positive Tension
Mercury
Virtue
Song for Clay (Disappear Here)
Banquet
Different Drugs
Octopus
So He Begins to Lie
The Love Within
First Encore
Signs
Helicopter
Ratchet
This Modern Love
Second Encore
She’s Hearing Voices
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Arel Watson
Bloc Party
Corbu
