Traveling across the big blue ocean, Bloc Party stopped in Portland to play a show to a packed house at the Crystal Ballroom during their late spring North American Tour.
The stage lights remained on while the stage was set up after opening act Bear Mountain finished the opening act. For the first time in my many visits to the crystal ballroom extra stage lighting was used to illuminate the beautiful architecture behind and around the stage. Lighting from behind created a wonderful blue accent to the Romanesque Revival architecture. The house lights dimmed as an instrumental track began, members of bloc party casually walked on stage and began a slower opening track, ‘Real Talk’. Lead singer dressed in jeans and a wool sweater stiffly singing the melody before graping the mic off the stand and really getting the night started with their second track ‘Mercury’. Soon taking off the heavy sweater from the heat of the stage lights and crowd who were dancing with the music. The unique quality of lead singer Kele Okereke make what is Bloc Party signature quality and their unreplicable sound. A combination of his British accent and deep voice each song was a sound of fresh music. The crowd fed off this fresh music and unique beats. Often full of energy the floor of the crystal ballroom bounced up and down with its spring like suspension. These indie, alternative, dance rockers keep it going well into the night of the rain may day. With bright yellow lights coming from under the drum riser it was hard to imaging a cold rainy day. But rather a hot, happening, energy filled dance/rock show with British talent Bloc party.
With each song sounding better and better with each passing note there were few breaks in the set. Rolling past each amazing song one after another, there were so shorts breaks when Okereke would take sips from his personal flask, say “Cheers” to the crowd. As half the audience in the bar section raised their glasses and took a drink as well. Half-way through the set after a sip from his flask. Lead singer walked over to the side of the stage and opened up the curtains on the side of the stage. Maybe to allow people passing by the enjoy a glimpse of the show going on inside the Crystal Ballroom.
With a full set and two encores the show lasted long enough to hear plenty of Bloc Party indie rock hits from their four albums and even a couple new songs off their soon be released EP. Playing the song ‘French Exit’ for the first time live gave many a preview of new music to be anticipated release in 2013. Would I spend money to go an see Bloc Party again? With out a doubt in my mind…YES!
Set List
Real Talk
Mercury
So He Begins to Lie
Hunting for Witches
Team A
Waiting for the 7.18
Song for Clay (Disappear Here) – ‘Kele – Tenderoni’ intro
Banquet
Coliseum
Day Four
French Exit
One More Chance
Octopus
Encore:
Signs
Price of Gasoline
Flux
Helicopter
Encore 2:
Montreal
Ares
This Modern Love
Photos and Review by Logan Westom
