For once in my life I arrive on time, rather than embarrassingly early, and so head straight in to the venue. We're not left waiting long before Tom Vek takes to the stage. I had previously heard his new single, 'If You Want', which has the coolest slap bass-lines I've heard. So when he started up the first song, I was slightly let down. It plodded along and didn't really do anything for me whatsoever. Luckily, as they say, things can only get better, and that they did. Every song after that was fuelled by groovy bass-lines, quirky electronics and stomping drum beats, making me want to dance the entire time.

Next to the stage were the, quite frankly, marvelous New Rhodes.

Maybe I'm am a bit biased, I've seen them enough times to be be considered for stalker status. But you can't deny their ability to write catchy and memorable songs, all of them reaching almost anthemic status. Debut single, 'I Wish I Was You' pulses through the building and you can see that many a Bloc Party fan is bopping along.

Finally, Bloc Party take to the stage, to riotus applause. Their spikey guitar artrock has attracted them a lot of

well deserved attention over the past year, and their live performance certainly lives up to it. The only thing that let it down for me was some of the crowd. There's no barriers at the Rescue Rooms, and the stage barely comes up to your waist. But some people still decided that it would be fun to crowd surf, which just doesn't work in a small venue like this, whilst injuring many people in the process. Nevertheless, the band seemed fairly entertained by this for a while, until Kele declared that we should be hugging each other instead of jumping on each other. No one listened.

Singles 'Helicopter' and 'Banquet' are nothing short of breathtaking live. With so much energy and drive behind them it's a wonder that the more drunk members of the crowd are still standing. After a

performance like this I can't wait for the album, as I'm sure most people will say. Hoorah for Bloc Party!

Review and photos by Jackie Barker

For more photos of this gig, click here

www.blocparty.com
Visit our New Rhodes page, or go to www.newrhodes.com
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