Bloc Party - Bowery Ballroom, 4.08.05

I recently did a search through our archives for mentions of Bloc Party and was surprised to find well over 30 instances, dating back to August, 2004. Since we've devoted plenty of space to them and there's no shortage of coverage around the blogosphere, I'll try to keep this review short.

It had been almost exactly six months since I first saw Bloc Party live. In the intervening months, much has changed for the band: they've released an acclaimed debut album, took Austin by Storm at SXSW, toured the U.S., and even played on the David Letterman show. Through it all Bloc Party's popularity and the surrounding volume of buzz has steadily climbed like mercury from Spring to Summer.

But after seeing them play their second U.S. show the Tribeca Grand Hotel last October, I wasn't so sure Bloc Party was worthy of its hype. They were good, not great, with only two remarkable songs, "Banquet" and "She's Hearing Voices". They would need to come up with the goods if they hoped to outlive flavor of the month status.

Unequivocally, the goods were delivered Friday night. Bloc Party were outstanding, playing a tight, energetic set that will be hard to top. I've never seen a Bowery crowd so into a band. Gone was the normal hipster chin stroking. It was replaced by actual movement - pogo-ing, even a little moshing at times.

The response even surprised the band, transforming them from shy and self-aware into rock stars. Rock stars. The between-song musical jokes were nowhere to be found. Bloc Party didn't need to put down their competition or play "name that tune" to get a rise out of the crowd. They just had to bash out their own songs, each a sing-along, and then be done with it, assuring that a June return for two at Webster Hall will be just the next logical step in the imminent ascendancy of this band. These rock stars.

Central Village was also at Friday's show and posted this review.