Bloc Party Fans Show Us How It's Done

Photo: Rory O'Connor

You have to give it up for British audiences: They know how to go nuts at a rock show. Whether because the crowd at Bloc Party's Webster Hall gig last night was packed with U.K. ex-pats or simply because the London foursome seems to have crossed over from being just another British post-punk band to being the one British post-punk band everyone can agree to like, the fans made an enthusiastic racket, eliciting two encores. Singer-guitarist Kele Okereke now comfortably wears his rock star charisma with the same ease he applies to slashing through precisely-timed riffs on songs like "Hunting For Witches" and "Helicopter." Watching Bloc Party last night, I was reminded of Mission of Burma, a punk band that was always cool without insisting upon its coolness. Meanwhile, if the new single "Mercury" offers a decent preview of the band's upcoming third LP, they've got my vote for one of the British scene-stars most likely to remain relevant in the twenty-teens. -- JENNY ELISCU