July 16, 2026
Bloc Party use a day off from their tour with Muse to visit Montreal
Bringing the shorter end of the North American end tour to Beanfield Theatre mid week. London’s four-piece, Bloc Party were here to rock the house on their much anticipated headlining run.
Coming in from a packed Notre Dame street, where all the soccer fans had lined the streets earlier this week . With our roads already so heavily detoured for summer festivities. Which, technically makes Montreal a permanently designated Block Party zone anyway – no thanks to Bloc Québécois, but that’s neither here nor there.
See Also: Coheed And Cambria at Hard Rock Live, Ottawa
In the height of the post-punk indie revival in the early 2000’s. Bloc Party’s popularity grew fast from their debut album Silent Alarm. Within the release of the first two albums, they crossed the pond for a couple of tours , that I had sadly missed. So tonight I was a first timer, and I did have pretty high expectations. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was equally excited to see how an extra few decade or so of festivals and touring added to the chemistry, along with newer members brodening their sound.
The room was filling up faster for those who were even aware that they had decided not to add an opener. I was perfectly fine with that, showing my age a bit, but better to be fully into it and not miss any of the better songs that are almost always teased for the encore.
Starting with the song Coming On Strong and following with a faster song with lots of distortion, Mercury. Since Mercury is currently in retrograde, the setlist was fittingly just as chaotic as our world right now.
All equally building up to something. Singer Kele Okereke’s vocals were certainly better suited here to be heard over all the extra sound layering. From the amount of effects and distortion pedals on all parts of the stage, there wasn’t much room to move about.
Witnessing moments between lead guitarist Russell Lissack and bassist Harry Deacon, and funny faces by Okereke when notes were missed, since I was right up by the speaker in the front row for this one. In Situ, Rough Justice and Kettling helped build up bit by bit the hallucinatory effects as the extra heavy bass tones truly vibed me to my core.
After the first few songs, I had to readjust to a spot a little further. The spotlights and neon LEDs were a bit much when you’re that close. The band has that behind them, while fans have it sometimes a little too low and blinding. I’m all for ambiance and a great synchronized light show as long as it’s not overkill.
Song For Clay kicked things into high gear. Once people heard the first notes of Banquet, this room was on fire! Dancing was mandatory for this block of tunes. Leading into a slower, dreamier part of the set with I Still Remember and a new one, off their forthcoming album An Anatomy of a Brief Romance. For this one, fans on social media were asked for their participation by filming before and during the show, capturing something, anything blue themed, for Lagoon Blue.
Next block of hits, we went Hunting for Witches, creating Positive Tension with The Love Within. By now they had played so many songs I wanted to hear I was almost tricked into it being done.
The flow of the setlist and night had been so great, and there was still a five-song encore. Drummer Louise Bartle was doing double time with the older songs and brought extra vocals that fit the band well.
Celebrating their twenty five year anniversary of being a band last year. One thing I’ve learned to cherish is getting to experience a band’s comeback shows, mainly because you are getting to see the best of their career; as opposed to just the latest release.
Bloc Party certainly delivered that and all the extras for Montreal. Our Ole! Ole! chants brought the band back out to max out the last of our energy. It all made sense now not to have an opening act.
Read More:
>> Evanescence at Bell Centre, Montreal
>> Triumph at Place Bell, Laval
>> Holly Humberstone at Beanfield Theatre, Montreal
Signs and Modern Love were sandwiched perfectly in between Helicopter and Flux.
Finishing off a brilliant, vibrant evening. Making it count, topping it off with one last treat, Ratchet.
And still the fans wanted more, as the usual rush out the door was slower, and it was only still just after ten pm. Plenty of time to take this party outside on the block where it began…
