Bloc Who?: Kele starts the Party solo Pic: T in the Park
Taking to a smaller stage than he’s accustomed to, Bloc Party front man Kele enters the Red Bull Futures Stage on a solo mission to thunderous applause, even before opener Walk Tall penetrates with thrusting electronic drums and bass that vibrates in your chest. Each call and response chant seemed to propagate the crowd, growing from a humble cluster to an expanse of bodies, wide eyed and expectant for Kele’s premier solo gig in Scotland.
With a blue neon sign in the background simply stating ‘Kele’, this man’s identity as a solo artist is very much reinforced, although joined by a spectacular and talented band who effortlessly translate the electronic album into a live, working set, exuding passion, energy and excitement.
Next up is grooving track On The Lam with drum and bass beats and melodic electronics. Kele looks truly at home on stage, dancing manically and encouraging the crowd to be even more creative in their choreography, not that they need it. Jovial Kele even borrows a neon cap from a security guard , which he then sports alongside a Santa suit jacket, thrown onstage. Somehow the stylish front man even manages to pull off this look, if only for one song.
Capturing, melancholy track Everything You Wanted, is introduced as a song about regret and leads to a dramatic sing-a-long. This track is a departure from the dirty electronica, though acts as a delicate, melodic breather between harder dance inducing numbers.
Kele asks whether we recognise the next track before launching into a rework of Silent Alarm favourite, This Modern Love, the animation and excessive excitement of the crowd at this stage confirm loyal Bloc Party fans following their front man into his solo voyage. With a sly smile the track flawlessly transforms into The Prayer, “I will outshine them all”, being an incredibley appropriate lyric at this moment where Kele glows in golden light and grips the attention of the tent. Holding tight with no sense of ceasing the familiar piano riff of One More Chance is welcomed to the mega-mix pulling the crowd further into the sweat-filled, pulsating pit.
Next up, driving single Tenderoni keeps the crowd on a high with full audience participation, a mammoth group effort spelling bee on the chorus.
Before playing his last track Kele questions, “Who’s looking forward to The Black Eyed Peas?” As a result of the audible booing he then asks for a show of hands, who is looking forward to it and who isn’t. With a cheeky grin and no more words the arpeggiator of Flux attacks the crowd and the dance party begins again for the final time tonight.
Kele promises he’ll be back to Scotland before the end of the year, it’ll certainly be worth the wait.
Review by Kirstin Lynn
