Bloc Party in concert @ The Brudenell Leeds 13th October 18

October 16, 2018

· by Tracey Welch

No lights and no pit. Not ideal conditions at the Brudenell Social Club but still it was nice to be asked to cover Bloc Party’s tour warm-up in Leeds. It was sold-out and absolutely rammed in there. Fortunately though, people were really lovely and gave me some space so I could actually take the pictures. And thanks to the Nikon D5 I did manage to come away with some decent shots, which definitely look punchier in black and white.

Bloc Party have been going for nearly 20 years now and I’ve photographed them a few times including a couple of appearances on the main stage at Leeds Festival. The line-up may have changed but the indie rockers have lost none of that original edge. In 2005 their album, Silent Alarm, won them a Mercury nomination and the title NME album of the year. It’s that album that is celebrated in this latest tour of Europe, Australia and New Zealand and many of the dates are already sold out. Such is their popularity. At the Brudenell their was certainly a party atmosphere, not least because it turned out to be singer Kele Okereke’s 37th birthday. As I left, even the queue of people who couldn’t get in hadn’t dispersed and were still happily singing along. Bodes well for the rest of the tour.

Bloc Party in concert @ The Brudenell Leeds 13th October 18 Kele Okereke – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, Russell Lissack – lead guitar, Justin Harris – bass guitar, backing vocals, Louise Bartle – drums