Currently on tour with Paramore, Bloc Party has held some one-off shows on their off days. I recently had the pleasure of attending a sold-out show at the 9:30 Club.
The supporting band was Glom, self-described as “NYC indie lofi slowcore shoegaze rock boyz” on their Instagram bio. Though, early into the set, the lead singer (Sean Dunnevant) announced he was originally a local from Gaithersburg, MD (Montgomery Village, specifically, after receiving help from fans). From all my research, Glom is defined as a six-piece band, but there were only four members present onstage: Sean Dunnevant on guitar and vocals, Jonathan Crandall on keyboard, Jordan Wolf on drums, and Peter Wagner on bass.
Their set was relatively quick, but highly enjoyable. A couple of standout moments included the debut of “I Wanted the Real Thing” from their new EP Pebble as well as exuberant audience appreciation for the keyboardist (Jonathan Crandall) as a tambourine man during another one of their songs. I also liked the song about Virginia, though I’m unsure if that was the title.
For those that don’t know, Bloc Party formed in 1999 at the Reading Festival, but the release of their debut album Silent Alarmwasn’t until February 2005. Immediate hits like “Banquet” and “Helicopter” helped increase the English band’s popularity, resulting in sold-out shows in the US. Their sophomore album A Weekend in the City contained hits like “I Still Remember,” “Hunting for Witches,” and “Flux”; released at the dawn of social media networks, it was available to listen for free on the band’s official MySpace page. Bloc Party are currently on their sixth studio album.
In between supporting dates for Paramore’s 2023 North American Tour, Bloc Party is promoting their own album Alpha Games. Block Party’s current line-up is Kele Okereke (vocals/guitar), Russell Lissack (guitar), Justin Harris (bass), and Louise Bartle (drums). Typically playing a setlist of about 11 songs while on tour with Paramore, the band got to extend their time onstage. At this, Kele announced that they were chuffed to have a “proper gig” of their own. Their setlist consisted of 18 total songs.
Highlights for me, personally, were their major hits that I’d grown to love over the years. (“Hunting for Witches” is on constant rotation for my gym workout playlist.) I love their music style. Broadly described as “indie rock,” the sound is more than that. There is a layering effect, achieved with delay and effects pedals and combined with their guitar-heavy sound and electronic music.
Another highlight—at the start of the encore—they actually debuted a brand-new song (as yet unreleased) that had never been played live before, called “Blue.” The lyrics were poignant and Kele’s voice angelic and emotional.
Bloc Party plays in support of Paramore on June 2nd at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Go early to check them out; you won’t regret it!
Photos and Words by: Deanna Escobar