Bloc Party and Interpol at Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Melbourne’s iconic Sidney Myer Music Bowl played host to a night of indie rock hits, as two of the genre’s heavy-hitters Bloc Party and Interpol played to a packed-out crowd. Returning to Australia for a series of huge co-headline shows, the two bands are in the middle of their tour, playing dates across the East Coast, and taking punters on a journey through their records over the years.
On supporting duties was Newcastle post-punk quintet Dust, who played a flawless set that set the tone for the night. Taking influence from international bands such as Fontaines D.C. and IDLES, Dust have put their own spin on the genre, adding experimental elements (including saxophone) which only further elevate their raw and progressive sound. Standout moments from their set included the haunting Ward 52, The Gutter, and their anxiety-ridden Joy (Guilt), which brought their incredible opening set to a close. After releasing their debut EP et cetera, etc earlier this year to rave reviews, we are excited to see their inevitable success continue.
New Yorkers Interpol were up next; walking out to a screaming audience who were eager to see the return of the band since their last shows in the country, back in 2019. Known for their moody and atmospheric sound, Interpol wasted no time immersing the audience within their signature layered soundscapes, which have remained a constant throughout their seven albums. Frontman Paul Banks’ brooding vocals, coupled with the band’s tight instrumentals, created a hauntingly beautiful performance, with opening track Untitled easing the crowds into what would soon become a mass singalong, which quickly lead into C’mere and their hit The Rover.
Banks was every bit as calm and collected as you could be playing to a mass of people – with his slicked-back hair and sunglasses that stayed put all show, while bandmates Daniel Kessler on guitar and drummer Sam Fogarino thrashed about on stage. Take You On a Cruise from their second album shifted the mood, as a dazzling sea of lights swam across the music bowl, all thanks to a giant disco ball. Taking the audience through newer track Into the Night, we’re swiftly taken back once again to their first album for the faster-paced Roland.
The perfectly delivered Obstacle 1 had the audience yelling along, while Rest My Chemistry also stood out as a set highlight; the two tracks obviously picked as instant crowd pleasers. It’s at this point that Banks addresses the audience with an ‘it’s amazing to be back. Australia, it’s been way too long’, as well as the band’s pride in sharing the stage with Bloc Party. Newer, but equally moody track Toni is up next, which gears everyone up for a crowd chant during classics No I in Threesome and Evil – the latter sending the bowl’s punters into an absolute frenzy. Before we know it, Interpol’s set is coming to a close with the seemingly never-ending track The New, and final song Slow Hands which gets the biggest audience reaction, and pulls everyone to their feet for one last dance.
With the audience eagerly waiting for the night’s closing act Bloc Party to come on, the mood set by the night’s performances was hard to deny, and the nostalgia was felt by all. In Situ from 2022’s album Alpha Games kicked off the set as Kele Okereke and band who were ‘heaps excited to be in Melbourne’ rolled into You Should Know The Truth and the 2007 fan-favourite Hunting For Witches – as we’re all told to get the party started. Rough Justice was next, before a throwback to their fourth studio album for Real Talk and Kettling – described as ‘golden oldies’ in comparison to their new single High Life.
A Paul Kelly Dumb Things intro lead into Song For Clay (Disappear Here) and Silent Alarm classic Banquet to really lift the mood, as we immersed ourselves in the absolute best of Bloc Party’s back catalogue. The best thing about seeing Bloc Party live is the array of hits – both their most popular and well-known songs as well as some of their hidden gems from across the years. Traps, Different Drugs, Only He Can Heal Me and Blue are special treats; with them being some of the songs not performed in every set list, and the crowd truly went absolutely wild for So Here We Are. Trademark single Helicopter transported us back to the mid-2000s, jamming out on Guitar Hero, but it was our all-time fave Flux that stepped the night up a notch, as Kele screamed for the crowd to ‘keep it moving’.
Modern masterpiece The Prayer was yet another set highlight – as its live adaptation sent the bowl into overdrive with its thumping drum beats and anthemic chorus. Explaining that This Modern Love is about a boy from St Kilda, Kele divulged with the audience on his fond memories of listening to Interpol, and the fact that they were the first band to take Bloc Party on tour – bringing this tour full circle. With one last rocket in their pocket, certified banger Ratchet is the song to end all sets, and saw the entire venue light up and dance along to every word, as the night sadly comes to an end.
Never did we think we’d be seeing two iconic mid-2000s indie bands back-to-back in 2023 – but their incredible catalogues over the years are proof that their unique sounds have stood the test of time after so long. With good vibes all around, and the crowd filtering out of the music bowl after such an incredible live show, it’s a comforting thought that their live performances have held up through time.