It feels good to remember why I liked a band, and even better to actually re-care. Before Bloc Party’s concert at Portland’s Roseland theater, I hadn’t seen Bloc Party perform since just after they’d released Silent Alarm, back when I couldn’t stop listening to “Banquet” and “Helicopter”. Two studio and three remix albums later, I was no longer playing as close attention and never got into their last album, but walking over to the show I was somewhere between curious and excited to see them again, just to see if they could revive what I first felt.
I am happy to report that Bloc Party are great live. I wasn’t the only one having fun that night. The whole crowd danced — or at least bounced — the entire show. I’ve been to plenty of sold out shows with great crowds, but that night people seemed particularly excited, raising their arms and shaking their fists along to the music and erupting in cheers at the first chords of both new and old songs. I’d like to think they were stronger for the older songs, but that’s likely just my bias.
Bands dream of having this affect on a crowd and Bloc Party responded by putting on a show worthy of the adoration. Kele Okereke seemed more confident and comfortable out in front than I remember, egged the crowd to really let it out. The songs still sounded urgent and fresh. While the older tracks were still my favorite, the ones sounded good. I may have to give Intimacy another couple spins.
Photos: Dese’Rae Stage
