07 July 2024 (gig)
11 July 2024
With the early noughties wave of indie sleaze/indie landfill/post-punk revival (whatever you wish to call it) now over two decades old, the scene is being reevaluated to see what has stood the test of time. South London was the setting for three groups from that period that still garner critical acclaim and are able to sell out mid-to large sized venues across Europe.
On what earlier threatened to be a literal thunderous summer evening in Crystal Palace, the trio took to the stage proving how they’ve remained relevant for the past couple of decades and are acknowledged as critical successes, with thousands of fans braving the elements to gather at the park for a day of treasured nostalgia as Bloc Party celebrated the anniversary of their seminal debut album, Silent Alarm.
Friendly Fires supported and were also mainly performing their debut record, with the infectious dance-rock doing its best to lift the spirits of the damp crowd as frontman Ed Macfarlane's enthusiastic moves and the band’s vibrant tunes such as ‘Paris’ and ‘White Diamonds’ getting hips shaking. Their performance was a bright start, filled with shimmering synths and effervescent rhythms, setting an upbeat tone for the evening despite what the grey clouds threatened overhead.
Next up were everyone’s favourite Swedish garage rockers. There are live shows and there are Hives live shows, and the Scandinavians used three decades of experience to mesmerise for almost an hour and cement their reputation as one of the best live bands around.
The gig was unrelenting with a mix of tracks that took from each of the band’s records, with frontman Howlin' Pelle Almqvist his normal charismatic, hilarious self as he continued to talk to the audience and managed to strike the balance of being funny whilst not out staying his welcome in-between songs. Almqvist passed this test with flying colours and had the sold-out Sunday crowd in the palm of this hand.
As the rain subsided, Bloc Party took to the stage with an understated confidence, launching into the opening track ‘So Here We Are’, with Kele Okereke’s raw vocal delivery piercing through the air; charged with the same urgency and emotion that defined the band’s early sound.
The four-piece played with a precision and passion that reminded everyone why Silent Alarm remains a landmark album. The other remaining member from the original line up, Russell Lissack, guitar riffs were razor-sharp, cutting through the rain as he recreated the album’s distinctive sonic landscape.
Tracks like ‘Helicopter’ and ‘Banquet’ had the slightly muddy field bouncing, while the haunting beauty of ‘This Modern Love’ provided a moment of introspective calm amidst the storm, with fans swaying gently under the darkened sky. Even lesser-known newer tracks like ‘Blue’ and ‘Traps’ were met with enthusiasm, showcasing the album’s enduring appeal.
Crystal Palace Park, with its and historic ambiance and its overbearing tower shadowing the stage, offered a dramatic backdrop to the night’s proceedings throughout, its natural beauty juxtaposed with the band's angular post-punk edge.
The earlier heavy rain, rather than being a deterrent, seemed to add a layer of authenticity and raw emotion to the experience. For the fans who stood soaked but satisfied in the park, it was a celebration of a band whose music has weathered the storms of time and continues to stir the hearts of its listeners.
