Live Review: Bloc Party @ John Cain Arena, Melbourne

Bloc Party took the stage last night in Melbourne at John Cain Arena for the third of their short, six-show tour in Australia to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Silent Alarm.

Kele Okereke, lead vocals and guitar, brought energy to the stage when he and three bandmates (including original bandmate Russell Lissack and newer members Louise Bartle from 2015 and Harry Deacon since 2023). They immediately launched into So Here We Are, stopping only to introduce themselves, “Hi Melbourne, we’re from London, England. Are we going to have fun tonight?” 

Despite having played Silent Alarm for two decades, the show brought a fresh take to each of the storied tracks, and each song had its own lighting and stylistic touches. The second song performed was She’s Hearing Voices, and the stage turned red and blue as the chorus “Red pill, blue pill” played, completely covering the stage with alternating red and blue colours.

In probably a first for Melbourne audiences, Kele complemented the weather in Melbourne and the sun, complaining that Sydney’s weather had been rainy. He said, “This sun has been insane and putting me in a good mood.” He added, “On that note…” and began Mercury.

Blue Light was the first of the slower songs performed, which saw Kele bathed in a single spotlight for most of the song, with a blue backdrop slowly appearing for the emotive “You are the bluest light” bridge.

The UK-based group last toured Australia in 2023 with Interpol, and have felt like a constant presence over the years, having secured a string of Splendour In The Grass bookings as well as other prominent Australian festivals.

Kele hinted at why Australia was such a drawcard when he said, “Can we turn the lights on? I want to see you. Australians are the sexiest race on earth,” which sent a ripple of laughter and cheers through the John Cain Arena.

This 20-year anniversary show was a reminder of just how many hits came from Silent Alarm, with Banquet and even follow-up cuts The Prayer and I Still Remember getting the audience on their feet and dancing to those familiar reverberations that Bloc Party is known for.

The show ended with a manic, sped-up version of Like Eating Glass, and then an encore of Signs, The Pioneers, Helicopter, This Modern Love and Ratchet. 

Appearing first on support was US rock outfit Young The Giant, returning to Australia for the first time in fifteen years. The California-based band posted to Instagram over the weekend, saying, “Sydney, that was a blast! Two nights, 15 years in the making. We promise we won’t make it another 15 years before we come back”.

Young The Giant was a complementary choice of support act to Bloc Party, with the group striking a balance of slow and pacey songs which built momentum for Bloc Party’s energetic show.

Bloc Party’s anniversary tour kicked off on July 31 with the first of two shows in Sydney, with Melbourne, Adelaide, and then Brisbane to follow. The tour will end in New Zealand with two shows.

Silent Alarm gave a new meaning to the phrase 'breakthrough album' as it reached global critical acclaim when released in 2005, winning the NME Album of the Year award and the Indie Rock Album of the Year at the 2006 PLUG Awards. Bloc Party was also nominated for Best Alternative Act at the MTV Music Awards and the prestigious Mercury Prize Award in 2005.