Watch Bloc Party play “Banquet”

Glastonbury 2024: watch the Bloc Party perform “Banquet”

(Credits: Far Out / BBC Still)

Sat Jun 29, 2024 6:03 PM, United Kingdom

Almost 20 years ago, Bloc Party announced itself with great fanfare with its first album, Silent alarmand the songs from that era still hold up, as they proved on The Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival on June 29.

Amazingly, Bloc Party’s performance at Worthy Farm marked their first appearance at the iconic festival since 2009 and is only their third Glastonbury show. 15 years ago they headlined The Other Stage, and even though they’re slightly lower on the bill this time around, it’s still an impressive feat to be in such a respectable position all these years later .

After a break in 2013 before returning two years later with a new lineup, still made up of original members Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, Bloc Party is experiencing the second chapter of its career. Although they have only released two albums in the last eight years, in 2024 Bloc Party are as popular as they have been in a decade.

Loud music will always find a way to gain longevity, and while the crowd was quieter when Bloc Party played newer material, “Banquet” was belted out at the top of its lungs. It’s likely that many members of The Other Stage first discovered the band through FIFA 06 when they were still in elementary school, while others recently discovered them on TikTok.

Regardless, none of the aforementioned groups of people were old enough to attend the loud concerts and be at the barrier to see Bloc Party’s live concert in 2005, but now is their chance to bask in the indie icons’ shine.

While a considerable amount of guitar music from this era has been ridiculed in recent years and banished to the landfill, the Bloc Party Silent alarm is an album that would have reached the top no matter what era it was released in.

Unlike many records from this era, which were equally celebrated at the time, it still feels fresh after two decades, and the reaction from the masses on The Other Stage will only strengthen Bloc Party as they currently ride the crest with a wave of nostalgia.

Following their celebratory performance at Glastonbury, Bloc Party are preparing to play Silent alarm in its entirety at Crystal Palace Park in London on July 7, marking the biggest concert of their career.

Announcing the show, Okereke said: “We’ve had so much fun playing shows over the past year, so it only makes sense to do something special for old and new fans, to celebrate twenty years of Bloc Party. We’ve had a lot of people tell us they couldn’t get tickets for the Silent alarm concerts, so a unique summer party playing that and the bangers seems like the right thing to do.

Step back in time and watch Bloc Party perform ‘Banquet’ at Glastonbury Festival below.

Related topics