Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Friday November 30, 2018 :
We’re living in the golden age of album anniversary tours. It seems like every week a new tour is popping up, celebrating that one seminal album that changed a generation. They sit in the uncanny valley between cash grab and fan service; usually depending on the band and the album.
Luckily, when Bloc Party announced an Australian Tour celebrating the release of their debut album Silent Alarm – it really felt like it was for the fans. It’s an album that a holds a special place in the hearts of thousands; an album that defined Indie Rock in the 00’s but doesn’t feel half as dated as some of its contemporaries. On the second date of two nights at the Hordern Pavillion there’s an unmistakable energy in the air. At the merch desk; people were happily buying up $65 T-shirts with the Silent Alarm art printed across the front and back – if that’s not dedication to an album, I don’t know what is.
Haiku Hands were the first and only support act on the night, and they really should have played to a bigger crowd. Tickets advertised the doors opening as the same time they took the stage really should have played to a bigger crowd. It was a shame, because they were a great choice for the national support. Beastie Boys meets Confidence Man; it was a tight set full of dance moves and gang vocals. Entertaining the whole way through.
Bloc Party walked out and started with ‘Compliments’ a slow burning track that signified that we would be hearing Silent Alarm performed back to front as opposed to its original order. Playing in front of the iconic albums cover; the show also featured one of the most impressive lighting setups I have seen. Each song was given its own treatment; a unique feel that dipped and rose to match the song and it’s place in the set.
The concerns that Silent Alarm‘s Gordon Moakes and Matt Tong seem baseless. The recruits Louise Bartle and Justin Harris have no problem capturing the tenacity and spirit that made the album so special. ‘This Modern Love’ felt like the true centrepiece of the show. The slow building track brought the entire Hordern Pavilion together, before confetti exploded over the crowd to shrieks of delight. ‘Helicopter’ and ‘Banquet’ elicited huge crowd reactions, before ending where it all began with ‘Like Eating Glass’
Going into two deep cuts (‘Two More Years’ and ‘Little Thoughts’) brought the crowd done, but they quickly resurfaced by moving out of Silent Alarm territory and into ‘The Prayer’ and ‘The Love Within’. The band came out to play ‘Ratchet’ for the encore, bringing everyone to their feet before shuffling them out of the Hordern and onto the street.
Reviewer : Spencer Scott
Photographer : Joshua South
