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| Name = Bloc Party
| Name = Bloc Party
| Img = Bloc Party band shot.jpg
| Img = Bloc Party band shot.jpg
| Img_capt = Left to right: Lissack, Moakes, Tong and Okereke<br />London, [[April 20]], [[2007]]
| Img_capt = Left to right: Lissack, Moakes, Tong and Okereke<br />London, 20 April 2007
| Landscape = Yes
| Landscape = Yes
| Background = group_or_band
| Background = group_or_band
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The band formed at the 1999 [[Reading Festival]] by Okereke and Lissack. They went through a variety of names before settling on Bloc Party in 2003. Moakes joined the band after answering an advert in ''[[NME]]'' magazine, while Tong was picked via an audition. Bloc Party got their break by giving [[BBC Radio 1]] [[disc jockey|DJ]] [[Steve Lamacq]] and [[Franz Ferdinand]]'s lead singer [[Alex Kapranos]] a copy of their demo, "[[She's Hearing Voices]]", which was later released as a single.
The band formed at the 1999 [[Reading Festival]] by Okereke and Lissack. They went through a variety of names before settling on Bloc Party in 2003. Moakes joined the band after answering an advert in ''[[NME]]'' magazine, while Tong was picked via an audition. Bloc Party got their break by giving [[BBC Radio 1]] [[disc jockey|DJ]] [[Steve Lamacq]] and [[Franz Ferdinand]]'s lead singer [[Alex Kapranos]] a copy of their demo, "[[She's Hearing Voices]]", which was later released as a single.


In February 2005, the band released their debut album ''[[Silent Alarm (album)|Silent Alarm]]''. It would be critically acclaimed and make ''NME''{{'}}s Album of the Year list.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear | title = NME Albums of the Year | publisher = ''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> The album was certified platinum in the UK a year later. The band built on this success with the release of their second studio album, ''[[A Weekend in the City]]'', in [[2007]]. The album reached a peak of #2 in the UK and #12 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. In August 2008, the band released their 3rd album, ''[[Intimacy (Bloc Party album)|Intimacy]]'' with little promotion apart from the preceding single "[[Mercury (Bloc Party song)|Mercury]]" digitally, via their website. The CD version is to be released in October.
In February 2005, the band released their debut album ''[[Silent Alarm (album)|Silent Alarm]]''. It would be critically acclaimed and make ''NME''{{'}}s Album of the Year list.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear | title = NME Albums of the Year | publisher = ''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-05}}</ref> The album was certified platinum in the UK a year later. The band built on this success with the release of their second studio album, ''[[A Weekend in the City]]'', in 2007. The album reached a peak of #2 in the UK and #12 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. In August 2008, the band released their 3rd album, ''[[Intimacy (Bloc Party album)|Intimacy]]'' with little promotion apart from the preceding single "[[Mercury (Bloc Party song)|Mercury]]" digitally, via their website. The CD version is to be released in October.


==History==
==History==
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[[Image:GordyatMSG.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Gordon Moakes tuning at [[Madison Square Garden]] in 2007]]
[[Image:GordyatMSG.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Gordon Moakes tuning at [[Madison Square Garden]] in 2007]]


Bloc Party's second album, ''[[A Weekend in the City]]'', was produced by [[Jacknife Lee|Garret "Jacknife" Lee]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/9zmq/ |title=Rock/Indie Review - Bloc Party, A Weekend In The City |publisher=[[BBC News]]|author=Tom Young|date=[[2007-02-01]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> It was released in February 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-City-Bloc-Party/dp/B000M06K5C |title=A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party |publisher=[[Amazon.com]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> though it had was [[internet leak|leaked]] in November 2006.<ref name="EW" /> It was released on the UK [[iTunes]] store before the physical release, and reached the number two spot in the Official UK Chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wichita-recordings.com/artist.php/blocparty/ |title=Bloc Party News |publisher=[[Wichita Recordings]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> The album reached number two on the [[Australia]]n and [[Belgium|Belgian]] charts,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bloc+Party&cat=a |title=Bloc Party albums |publisher=Australian Charts |accessdate=2008-04-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/search.asp?cat=a&lang=nl&search=Bloc+Party |title=Bloc Party chart positions |publisher=[[Ultratop]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> and debuted at #12 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 48,000 copies sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003545534 |title=Fall Out Boy Hits 'High' Note With No. 1 Debut|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-05 }}</ref> The first single, "[[The Prayer (Bloc Party song)|The Prayer]]", was released on [[January 29]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prayer-Bloc-Party/dp/B000KRMU1K |title=Amazon.co.uk: The Prayer: Bloc Party: Music |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> and became the band's highest charting single in the [[UK Top 40]], reaching #4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=255&s_news=165 |title=The Prayer Hits The Top 5 |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> In the build up to the release of the album, [[BBC Radio 1]] DJ [[Zane Lowe]] aired a live set from the [[Maida Vale]] studio featuring a mix of old and new songs, on his evening radio show on [[January 30]], [[2007]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/galleries/1006/ |title=Radio 1 - Zane Lowe - Bloc Party live at Maida Vale |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> On [[February 1]] [[2007]], ''A Weekend in the City'' was made available to listen to for free through the band's official [[MySpace]] page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=250 |title=Listen to 'A Weekend in the City' Now! |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref>
Bloc Party's second album, ''[[A Weekend in the City]]'', was produced by [[Jacknife Lee|Garret "Jacknife" Lee]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/9zmq/ |title=Rock/Indie Review - Bloc Party, A Weekend In The City |publisher=[[BBC News]]|author=Tom Young|date=[[2007-02-01]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> It was released in February 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Weekend-City-Bloc-Party/dp/B000M06K5C |title=A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party |publisher=[[Amazon.com]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> though it had was [[internet leak|leaked]] in November 2006.<ref name="EW" /> It was released on the UK [[iTunes]] store before the physical release, and reached the number two spot in the Official UK Chart.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wichita-recordings.com/artist.php/blocparty/ |title=Bloc Party News |publisher=[[Wichita Recordings]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> The album reached number two on the [[Australia]]n and [[Belgium|Belgian]] charts,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bloc+Party&cat=a |title=Bloc Party albums |publisher=Australian Charts |accessdate=2008-04-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/search.asp?cat=a&lang=nl&search=Bloc+Party |title=Bloc Party chart positions |publisher=[[Ultratop]] |accessdate=2008-05-03 }}</ref> and debuted at #12 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 48,000 copies sold.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003545534 |title=Fall Out Boy Hits 'High' Note With No. 1 Debut|publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-05 }}</ref> The first single, "[[The Prayer (Bloc Party song)|The Prayer]]", was released on 29 January,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prayer-Bloc-Party/dp/B000KRMU1K |title=Amazon.co.uk: The Prayer: Bloc Party: Music |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> and became the band's highest charting single in the [[UK Top 40]], reaching #4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=255&s_news=165 |title=The Prayer Hits The Top 5 |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> In the build up to the release of the album, [[BBC Radio 1]] DJ [[Zane Lowe]] aired a live set from the [[Maida Vale]] studio featuring a mix of old and new songs, on his evening radio show on 30 January 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/galleries/1006/ |title=Radio 1 - Zane Lowe - Bloc Party live at Maida Vale |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> On 1 February 2007, ''A Weekend in the City'' was made available to listen to for free through the band's official [[MySpace]] page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=250 |title=Listen to 'A Weekend in the City' Now! |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref>


The next single, "[[I Still Remember (Bloc Party song)|I Still Remember]]", was Bloc Party's highest charting American single, peaking at #24 on the Modern Rock Chart.<ref name="USs">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=610604&model.vnuAlbumId=818909 |title=Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Bloc Party |publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref> The band released their third single "[[Hunting for Witches]]" with an accompanying video clip in August 2007. The single became their only [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Chart]] entry, peaking at #20.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Bloc+Party&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |title=australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal |publisher=Australian Charts |accessdate=2008-04-03 |last= |first= }}</ref>
The next single, "[[I Still Remember (Bloc Party song)|I Still Remember]]", was Bloc Party's highest charting American single, peaking at #24 on the Modern Rock Chart.<ref name="USs">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=610604&model.vnuAlbumId=818909 |title=Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Bloc Party |publisher=''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-04-03 }}</ref> The band released their third single "[[Hunting for Witches]]" with an accompanying video clip in August 2007. The single became their only [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Chart]] entry, peaking at #20.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Bloc+Party&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |title=australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal |publisher=Australian Charts |accessdate=2008-04-03 |last= |first= }}</ref>


In October 2007 it was announced that Bloc Party would release a new single, "[[Flux (song)|Flux]]", on [[November 13]]&mdash;ahead of their end of year gigs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flux-Bloc-Party/dp/B000WTNDD0 |title=Amazon.co.uk: Flux: Bloc Party: Music |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> The track was also produced by Jacknife Lee,.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/31542 |title=Bloc Party announce new single details |publisher=[[NME]]}}</ref> Flux, an [[electronic music|electronic]] song, was very different to previous singles released by the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20071216_bloc.shtml |title=Bloc Party On A High|publisher=[[BBC]]|author=Ruth Barnes|date=[[16 December]] [[2007]]|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref>
In October 2007 it was announced that Bloc Party would release a new single, "[[Flux (song)|Flux]]", on 13 November&mdash;ahead of their end of year gigs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flux-Bloc-Party/dp/B000WTNDD0 |title=Amazon.co.uk: Flux: Bloc Party: Music |publisher=[[Amazon.co.uk]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> The track was also produced by Jacknife Lee,.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/31542 |title=Bloc Party announce new single details |publisher=[[NME]]}}</ref> Flux, an [[electronic music|electronic]] song, was very different to previous singles released by the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20071216_bloc.shtml |title=Bloc Party On A High|publisher=[[BBC]]|author=Ruth Barnes|date=16 December 2007|accessdate=2008-06-09}}</ref>


The band's first gig following the release of ''A Weekend In The City'' was on [[February 5]] [[2007]], in [[Reading]],<ref name="live07">{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2007 |title=Live : Archive |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-02 }}</ref> and was broadcast live on [[BBC 6 Music]] that night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/litc/galleries/1045/ |title=Lamacq In The City - Reading Hexagon, 5th Feb 2007 |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> On [[May 20]], [[2007]], Bloc Party headlined on the ''In New Music We Trust'' stage at the [[BBC Radio 1]] Big Weekend at Preston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Radio 1's Big Weekend - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> They also performed at the UK leg of [[Live Earth]] on [[July 7]], [[2007]], at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/liveearth/artists/blocparty/ |title=Live Earth - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> Furthermore, the band played sets at [[T in the Park]] and [[Oxegen 2007|Oxegen 07]] that same weekend,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/artists/bloc_party |title=BBC Scotland - T In The Park 2007 - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxegen.ie/line_up.php |title=Oxegen '07 Lineup |publisher=[[Oxegen]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> as well as [[Glastonbury]] and the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/gallery/2007/jun/25/blocparty?picture=330078810 |title=Glastonbury gallery: photographs by Bloc Party |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2007/artists/#b |title=Reading and Leeds 2007 - Artists/Line-up |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> Bloc Party announced a tour of [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] in August 2007, which would include a special appearance at the [[Splendour in the Grass]] Festival on [[August 5]].<ref name="live07" /> On [[September 17]] [[2007]] they recorded a set for the [[PBS]] show [[Austin City Limits]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=635 |title=Austin City Limits - Bloc Party followed by Ghostland Observatory |publisher=[[PBS]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> a day after playing at the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]],<ref name="live07" /> and on [[October 27]] [[2007]], the band performed a set at London's [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]] with the [[Exmoor Singers]], a London based [[choir]], as part of the [[BBC Electric Proms]]. The set included songs from both ''Silent Alarm'' and ''A Weekend In The City'' along with the first UK live performance of "Flux".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Electric Proms 2007 - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref>
The band's first gig following the release of ''A Weekend In The City'' was on 5 February 2007, in [[Reading]],<ref name="live07">{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2007 |title=Live : Archive |publisher=Bloc Party |accessdate=2008-05-02 }}</ref> and was broadcast live on [[BBC 6 Music]] that night.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/litc/galleries/1045/ |title=Lamacq In The City - Reading Hexagon, 5th Feb 2007 |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> On 20 May 2007, Bloc Party headlined on the ''In New Music We Trust'' stage at the [[BBC Radio 1]] Big Weekend at Preston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Radio 1's Big Weekend - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> They also performed at the UK leg of [[Live Earth]] on 7 July 2007, at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/liveearth/artists/blocparty/ |title=Live Earth - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> Furthermore, the band played sets at [[T in the Park]] and [[Oxegen 2007|Oxegen 07]] that same weekend,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/artists/bloc_party |title=BBC Scotland - T In The Park 2007 - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxegen.ie/line_up.php |title=Oxegen '07 Lineup |publisher=[[Oxegen]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> as well as [[Glastonbury]] and the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/gallery/2007/jun/25/blocparty?picture=330078810 |title=Glastonbury gallery: photographs by Bloc Party |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]'' |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2007/artists/#b |title=Reading and Leeds 2007 - Artists/Line-up |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> Bloc Party announced a tour of [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] in August 2007, which would include a special appearance at the [[Splendour in the Grass]] Festival on 5 August.<ref name="live07" /> On 17 September 2007 they recorded a set for the [[PBS]] show [[Austin City Limits]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=635 |title=Austin City Limits - Bloc Party followed by Ghostland Observatory |publisher=[[PBS]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref> a day after playing at the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]],<ref name="live07" /> and on 27 October 2007, the band performed a set at London's [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]] with the [[Exmoor Singers]], a London based [[choir]], as part of the [[BBC Electric Proms]]. The set included songs from both ''Silent Alarm'' and ''A Weekend In The City'' along with the first UK live performance of "Flux".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Electric Proms 2007 - Bloc Party |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-05-04 }}</ref>


===''Intimacy'' (2008–present)===
===''Intimacy'' (2008–present)===
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[[Image:Bloc Party countdown timer.PNG|thumb|right|The screen displayed on Bloc Party's official website following the countdown.]]
[[Image:Bloc Party countdown timer.PNG|thumb|right|The screen displayed on Bloc Party's official website following the countdown.]]


"[[Mercury (Bloc Party song)|Mercury]]", which is to be the first single from the upcoming third album, was played as an exclusive on [[Zane Lowe]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show on [[July 7]] [[2008]],<ref name="ZL08">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080707 |title=Radio 1 - Zane Lowe tracklisting archives |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> before being uploaded to the Radio 1 website fifteen minutes later.<ref name="unveil">{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37906 |title=Bloc Party unveil surprise new single on radio |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-08 |last= |first= }}</ref> The exclusive followed an ominous countdown timer which replaced the band's entire website for three days, which ended with a link to the Radio 1 website at the time of Lowe's radio show. Many fans were expecting a release of new material over the internet,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37870 |title=Bloc Party to release new material tomorrow (July 7)? |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> with some being angered by the stunt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37883 |title=Bloc Party irritate fans with 'countdown' |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> The song has a similar electronic sound to the previous single, "Flux",<ref name="elecBillboard">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003825123 |title=Bloc Party unveils new single on BBC radio |publisher=''[[Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-08 |last= |first= }}</ref> with Zane Lowe labelling the song as the "hottest track in the world".<ref name="ZL08" /> During the first play of "Mercury" on Radio 1, Kele was in the studio with Zane Lowe, and stated that [[Jacknife Lee]] and [[Paul Epworth]] will be producing the new album.<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/08072008/429911/bloc_party_announce_surprise_single |author=Tom Thorogood |date=[[2008-07-08]] |title=Bloc Party announce surprise new single |publisher=[[MTV]] |accessdate=2008-07-10 }}</ref> It has also been revealed that the single is to be released on [[August 11]], [[2008]].<ref name="ZL08" /> The video was unveiled along with the single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/videos.php |title=Videos: Bloc Party |publisher=blocparty.com |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> Bloc Party has also announced that along with the full "Mercury" single that will come on CD with 3 remixes, on 12" vinyl with an extended and instrumental version and on 7" vinyl with the b-side "Idea for A Story."
"[[Mercury (Bloc Party song)|Mercury]]", which is to be the first single from the upcoming third album, was played as an exclusive on [[Zane Lowe]]'s [[BBC Radio 1]] show on 7 July 2008,<ref name="ZL08">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080707 |title=Radio 1 - Zane Lowe tracklisting archives |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> before being uploaded to the Radio 1 website fifteen minutes later.<ref name="unveil">{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37906 |title=Bloc Party unveil surprise new single on radio |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-08 |last= |first= }}</ref> The exclusive followed an ominous countdown timer which replaced the band's entire website for three days, which ended with a link to the Radio 1 website at the time of Lowe's radio show. Many fans were expecting a release of new material over the internet,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37870 |title=Bloc Party to release new material tomorrow (July 7)? |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> with some being angered by the stunt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/37883 |title=Bloc Party irritate fans with 'countdown' |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> The song has a similar electronic sound to the previous single, "Flux",<ref name="elecBillboard">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003825123 |title=Bloc Party unveils new single on BBC radio |publisher=''[[Billboard]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-08 |last= |first= }}</ref> with Zane Lowe labelling the song as the "hottest track in the world".<ref name="ZL08" /> During the first play of "Mercury" on Radio 1, Kele was in the studio with Zane Lowe, and stated that [[Jacknife Lee]] and [[Paul Epworth]] will be producing the new album.<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/channel/mtvuk/news/08072008/429911/bloc_party_announce_surprise_single |author=Tom Thorogood |date=[[2008-07-08]] |title=Bloc Party announce surprise new single |publisher=[[MTV]] |accessdate=2008-07-10 }}</ref> It has also been revealed that the single is to be released on 11 August 2008.<ref name="ZL08" /> The video was unveiled along with the single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/videos.php |title=Videos: Bloc Party |publisher=blocparty.com |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> Bloc Party has also announced that along with the full "Mercury" single that will come on CD with 3 remixes, on 12" vinyl with an extended and instrumental version and on 7" vinyl with the b-side "Idea for A Story."


Following the revelation of "Mercury", as well as its similarly electronic b-side "Idea for a Story", Bloc Party's third studio album takes an experimental, electronic direction,{{Fact|date=July 2008}} despite Kele suggesting this would not be the case,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/33214 |title=Bloc Party ditch dance edge |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> having said that the sound will have the "rawness" of ''Silent Alarm'', but the "experience" of ''A Weekend in the City''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2007/09/bloc-party-talks-touring-crisps.html |title=Bloc Party talks touring, crisps |publisher=''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''|author= Kasia Galazka |date=[[2007-09-06]]|accessdate=2008-07-07}}</ref> Several new songs have been written for the new album, including single "Mercury" and another entitled "Ion Square".<ref name="AQA">{{cite web |url=http://www.aqa.63336.com/celebrityanswers/ca_keleokereke.htm |title=Live Celebrity Answers - Kele Okereke from Bloc Party |publisher=[[Any Question Answered]] |accessdate=2008-07-06 |last= |first= }}</ref> In a live webchat in July 2008, Kele stated that the new album was in the process of being written and recorded, and that "it doesn't sound like anything we've done before and I'm really excited about it". He also suggested the album would probably not be released until 2009,<ref name="AQA" /> although in an interview with NME, guitarist Russell Lissack said that it may well come out this year, unless they "scrapped it and started over". Kele also told Lowe on Radio 1 (subsequent to the webchat) that the album would be released "[hopefully] at the end of this year".<ref name="unveil" />
Following the revelation of "Mercury", as well as its similarly electronic b-side "Idea for a Story", Bloc Party's third studio album takes an experimental, electronic direction,{{Fact|date=July 2008}} despite Kele suggesting this would not be the case,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/33214 |title=Bloc Party ditch dance edge |publisher=''[[NME]]'' |accessdate=2008-07-07 |last= |first= }}</ref> having said that the sound will have the "rawness" of ''Silent Alarm'', but the "experience" of ''A Weekend in the City''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2007/09/bloc-party-talks-touring-crisps.html |title=Bloc Party talks touring, crisps |publisher=''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]''|author= Kasia Galazka |date=[[2007-09-06]]|accessdate=2008-07-07}}</ref> Several new songs have been written for the new album, including single "Mercury" and another entitled "Ion Square".<ref name="AQA">{{cite web |url=http://www.aqa.63336.com/celebrityanswers/ca_keleokereke.htm |title=Live Celebrity Answers - Kele Okereke from Bloc Party |publisher=[[Any Question Answered]] |accessdate=2008-07-06 |last= |first= }}</ref> In a live webchat in July 2008, Kele stated that the new album was in the process of being written and recorded, and that "it doesn't sound like anything we've done before and I'm really excited about it". He also suggested the album would probably not be released until 2009,<ref name="AQA" /> although in an interview with NME, guitarist Russell Lissack said that it may well come out this year, unless they "scrapped it and started over". Kele also told Lowe on Radio 1 (subsequent to the webchat) that the album would be released "[hopefully] at the end of this year".<ref name="unveil" />

Revision as of 07:43, 30 August 2008

Bloc Party
This article is about the English alternative rock band. For the Canadian political party, see Bloc Québécois.

Bloc Party are an English indie rock band, composed of Kele Okereke on vocals and rhythm guitar, Russell Lissack on lead guitar, Gordon Moakes on bass guitar and Matt Tong on drums. Their brand of indie rock has been compared to bands such as The Cure, Blur, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and Joy Division.[citation needed]

The band formed at the 1999 Reading Festival by Okereke and Lissack. They went through a variety of names before settling on Bloc Party in 2003. Moakes joined the band after answering an advert in NME magazine, while Tong was picked via an audition. Bloc Party got their break by giving BBC Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq and Franz Ferdinand's lead singer Alex Kapranos a copy of their demo, "She's Hearing Voices", which was later released as a single.

In February 2005, the band released their debut album Silent Alarm. It would be critically acclaimed and make NME's Album of the Year list.[1] The album was certified platinum in the UK a year later. The band built on this success with the release of their second studio album, A Weekend in the City, in 2007. The album reached a peak of #2 in the UK and #12 in the Billboard 200. In August 2008, the band released their 3rd album, Intimacy with little promotion apart from the preceding single "Mercury" digitally, via their website. The CD version is to be released in October.

History

Formation and rising popularity (1999–2004)

Russell Lissack and Kele Okereke first met in 1998 in Essex. Lissack had attended Bancroft's School, while Okereke attended Ilford County High School, then Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green for sixth form. They bumped into each other again in 1999 at the Reading Festival and decided to form a band.[2] Bassist Gordon Moakes joined after answering an advert in NME, and drummer Matt Tong joined after an audition.[2] After going through a variety of names, such as Union, Superheroes of BMX, The Angel Range and Diet, the band settled on Bloc Party in September 2003, a play on block party.[3] The band has said that the name was not intended to be an allusion to the Soviet Bloc or the Canadian political party Bloc Québécois. However, the band's bassist, Gordon Moakes, said on the group's official Internet forum that it was more a merging of the eastern "Blocs" and the western "parties", in the political sense. Moakes notes that the name was not driven by politics, but rather it "looked, sounded, seemed fine so we went with it."[4]

Template:Sound sample box align left

"Banquet"
"Banquet" was Bloc Party's first and only release by Moshi Moshi, and is typical of their indie rock style.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Template:Sample box end

In November 2003, Bloc Party had their track "The Marshals Are Dead" featured on a compilation CD called The New Cross released by Angular Recording Corporation.[5] They then released their debut single "She's Hearing Voices" on the then fledgling record label Trash Aesthetics.[6]

The band got their break after Okereke went to a Franz Ferdinand concert in 2003, and gave a copy of "She's Hearing Voices" to both lead singer Alex Kapranos and Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq.[7] Lamacq subsequently played the song on his radio show, labeling the track "genius",[8] and invited them to record a live session for the show.[9] The buzz generated off the back of the single led to another single, "Banquet" being released by Moshi Moshi Records,[10] and to the eventual signing with independent label Wichita Recordings in April 2004.[11]

Silent Alarm (2004–2006)

Bloc Party’s Lissack and Okereke on stage in Cardiff in October 2005

Bloc Party's debut album, Silent Alarm, was released in February 2005 and was met with critical acclaim.[12][13][14] It was voted by NME critics as the 2005 album of the year,[15] and reached #3 on UK album charts before being certified platinum.[16][17] The first single from the album, "So Here We Are", made the top 5 on UK charts.[16] Further singles "Banquet" (which reached #13 in NME's "Top 50 singles of 2005"), "Helicopter", and "Pioneers", whilst failing to repeat this success, managed to reach the UK top 20.[16] The animated video for the single "Pioneers", made by the Shoreditch based Minivegas design agency[18] was number one in the NME video charts for 4 weeks.

The song "Helicopter" was used in the movie Grandma's Boy. It can be heard during the party at Alex's Grandmother's house. It was also used in the soundtrack of the football video game, FIFA 06, and was a playable track in "Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock" and "Guitar Hero: On Tour."

The band were met with good reviews from critics in the United States and they toured there heavily in the 18 months that followed.[19] In early 2006 they finished their tour with sold out shows in Los Angeles, Miami and Berkeley.[19] The album went on to sell more than 350,000 copies in North America and over a million worldwide.[17] After the success of this album, the established electronic group The Chemical Brothers soon collaborated with Okereke for "Believe", a track on the Brothers' Push the Button album.[20] An album of remixes of tracks from Silent Alarm was released at the end of August in the UK.[21] This remix album, Silent Alarm Remixed, retained the album's original track list and includes remixes from the likes of Ladytron, M83, Death from Above 1979, Four Tet and Mogwai.[22]

During July, Bloc Party recorded two new tracks with Silent Alarm producer Paul Epworth. The songs were released as an EP titled Two More Years.[23] The released of the EP was accompanied with a re-release of Silent Alarm, which included "Two More Years" along with former single "Little Thoughts". "Two More Years" was later released to coincide with their October 2005 UK tour.[24] The single format contained a remix of "Banquet" done by The Streets, for which a video was also recorded.[25]

The band also contributed the track "The Present" to the Help!: A Day in the Life compilation, the profits of which benefited the War Child charity.[26] In 2005, their album track "Like Eating Glass" was used on the soundtrack of low-budget horror film, Cry Wolf,[27] and was remixed for use on Activision's skateboarding game Tony Hawk's American Wasteland.[28]

A Weekend in the City (2006–2008)

Gordon Moakes tuning at Madison Square Garden in 2007

Bloc Party's second album, A Weekend in the City, was produced by Garret "Jacknife" Lee.[29] It was released in February 2007,[30] though it had was leaked in November 2006.[31] It was released on the UK iTunes store before the physical release, and reached the number two spot in the Official UK Chart.[32] The album reached number two on the Australian and Belgian charts,[33][34] and debuted at #12 in the Billboard 200, with 48,000 copies sold.[35] The first single, "The Prayer", was released on 29 January,[36] and became the band's highest charting single in the UK Top 40, reaching #4.[37] In the build up to the release of the album, BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe aired a live set from the Maida Vale studio featuring a mix of old and new songs, on his evening radio show on 30 January 2007.[38] On 1 February 2007, A Weekend in the City was made available to listen to for free through the band's official MySpace page.[39]

The next single, "I Still Remember", was Bloc Party's highest charting American single, peaking at #24 on the Modern Rock Chart.[40] The band released their third single "Hunting for Witches" with an accompanying video clip in August 2007. The single became their only ARIA Chart entry, peaking at #20.[41]

In October 2007 it was announced that Bloc Party would release a new single, "Flux", on 13 November—ahead of their end of year gigs.[42] The track was also produced by Jacknife Lee,.[43] Flux, an electronic song, was very different to previous singles released by the band.[44]

The band's first gig following the release of A Weekend In The City was on 5 February 2007, in Reading,[45] and was broadcast live on BBC 6 Music that night.[46] On 20 May 2007, Bloc Party headlined on the In New Music We Trust stage at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend at Preston.[47] They also performed at the UK leg of Live Earth on 7 July 2007, at Wembley Stadium.[48] Furthermore, the band played sets at T in the Park and Oxegen 07 that same weekend,[49][50] as well as Glastonbury and the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[51][52] Bloc Party announced a tour of Australia and New Zealand in August 2007, which would include a special appearance at the Splendour in the Grass Festival on 5 August.[45] On 17 September 2007 they recorded a set for the PBS show Austin City Limits,[53] a day after playing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival,[45] and on 27 October 2007, the band performed a set at London's Roundhouse with the Exmoor Singers, a London based choir, as part of the BBC Electric Proms. The set included songs from both Silent Alarm and A Weekend In The City along with the first UK live performance of "Flux".[54]

Intimacy (2008–present)

Template:Future album

File:Bloc Party countdown timer.PNG
The screen displayed on Bloc Party's official website following the countdown.

"Mercury", which is to be the first single from the upcoming third album, was played as an exclusive on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on 7 July 2008,[55] before being uploaded to the Radio 1 website fifteen minutes later.[56] The exclusive followed an ominous countdown timer which replaced the band's entire website for three days, which ended with a link to the Radio 1 website at the time of Lowe's radio show. Many fans were expecting a release of new material over the internet,[57] with some being angered by the stunt.[58] The song has a similar electronic sound to the previous single, "Flux",[59] with Zane Lowe labelling the song as the "hottest track in the world".[55] During the first play of "Mercury" on Radio 1, Kele was in the studio with Zane Lowe, and stated that Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth will be producing the new album.[60] It has also been revealed that the single is to be released on 11 August 2008.[55] The video was unveiled along with the single.[61] Bloc Party has also announced that along with the full "Mercury" single that will come on CD with 3 remixes, on 12" vinyl with an extended and instrumental version and on 7" vinyl with the b-side "Idea for A Story."

Following the revelation of "Mercury", as well as its similarly electronic b-side "Idea for a Story", Bloc Party's third studio album takes an experimental, electronic direction,[citation needed] despite Kele suggesting this would not be the case,[62] having said that the sound will have the "rawness" of Silent Alarm, but the "experience" of A Weekend in the City.[63] Several new songs have been written for the new album, including single "Mercury" and another entitled "Ion Square".[64] In a live webchat in July 2008, Kele stated that the new album was in the process of being written and recorded, and that "it doesn't sound like anything we've done before and I'm really excited about it". He also suggested the album would probably not be released until 2009,[64] although in an interview with NME, guitarist Russell Lissack said that it may well come out this year, unless they "scrapped it and started over". Kele also told Lowe on Radio 1 (subsequent to the webchat) that the album would be released "[hopefully] at the end of this year".[56]

In a Webchat on August 18, the band announced "Intimacy" as the name of the new album. and furthermore announced it would be released digitally through BlocParty.com on August 21, with the physical album to be released on October 27.

On August 20, the band released "Trojan Horse", "Signs" and "One Month Off", songs from the new album "Intimacy", on their Myspace page. The song was also played by Steve Lamacq when the band performed Mercury and Flux on his 6Music show.

The album was then digitally released via Bloc Party's website on August 21 - with the physical release to follow at a later date.

Bloc Party played the Reading and Leeds festivals beneath The Killers on the main stage, August 23rd and 24th respectively. At the conclusion of the Leeds concert, Kele suggested that it would be the band's last live performance for 'some time'.

Bloc Party will resume touring on August 30th, 2008, playing the Hydro Connect Festival in Argyll, Scotland. From there, the band will play 9 shows across Canada, starting September 5th.

Musical style

Bloc Party claim that their variation of spiky guitar rock draws on influences such as The Cure, The Jam, Les Savy Fav, Blur, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Pixies, Manic Street Preachers, Joy Division and Gang of Four.[citation needed][31] Particular parallels were made between Bloc Party and Gang of Four upon their arrival on the music scene,[65] yet the band were "mildly infuriated" at such references, claiming they had never "particularly liked" Gang of Four.[31] To achieve their unique guitar style, numerous delay effects pedals are implemented.[66]

During the recording of the second album, the band suggested it would contain "some truly R'n'B styled beats, a song where [Tong] and [Moakes] play drums simultaneously [and] both eggshell-thin fragility and trouser-flapping hugeness",[67] as opposed to their typical indie rock sound. The style has been compared to and inspired by such bands as Radiohead, U2, Depeche Mode and Björk.[68] Some of the most noticeable changes are the songs have come more layered and less raw. With the release of "Flux", Bloc Party's style has become even more diverse with the inclusion of electronic music. For the third album, Tong has said, "I think our new stuff is going to be a lot less textured than the last record. I think the third studio incarnation of Bloc is going to be a bit like the rawer earlier Bloc, but with experience." They are working with producer Paul Epworth again and have revealed to NME magazine that they would like their third album to be released this year.[69] In their new single, "Mercury", Bloc Party even further distanced themselves from the traditional guitar band set-up, experimenting with dark electronic sounds and trumpets.[59]

Discography

Main article: Bloc Party discography

References

  1. ^ "NME Albums of the Year". NME. Retrieved 2008-05-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Kele Okereke: 21st century boy". The Guardian. 2007-01-07. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ G, Chris (2004-05-10). "Interview: Bloc Party". SoundsXP. Retrieved 2006-12-31. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Kirsty Brown (2007-01-31). "Bloc Party". Beat. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ "Various: The New Cross: An Angular Sampler". Shazam. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  6. ^ "Bloc Party - She's Hearing Voices". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  7. ^ "Bloc Party". NME. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Berkshire Music - Club Velocity". BBC. 2004-02-12. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Steve Lamacq (2004-01-19). "The downside to being the buzz band of the moment". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Releases: Banquet". Moshi Moshi Records. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  11. ^ "Bloc Party biography". Tiscali. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  12. ^ Heather Phares. "Silent Alarm Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  13. ^ Imran Ahmed (2005-02-06). "Bloc Party - Bloc Party : Silent Alarm - Album Review". NME. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Barry Walters (2005-03-24). "Silent Alarm : Bloc Party : Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-05-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "NME Album of the Year Archive". NME. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  16. ^ a b c "Bloc Party - UK Chart positions". EveryHit.com. Retrieved 2008-03-31. Note: User has to search for "Bloc Party".
  17. ^ a b "Platinum Awards Content". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  18. ^ "Bloc Party - Pioneers". Minivegas. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  19. ^ a b "Live : Archive". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  20. ^ "Chemical Brothers, Push The Button". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  21. ^ "Silent Alarm Remixed: Bloc Party: Music". Amazon.com UK. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  22. ^ "Silent Alarm Remixed". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  23. ^ "Hear The New Single!". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  24. ^ "Live: 2005 Archive". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  25. ^ "Banquet - The Streets Remix Video!". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  26. ^ "Help - A Day In The Life". Amazon. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  27. ^ "Cry Wolf". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  28. ^ "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland - Credits". Allgame. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  29. ^ Tom Young (2007-02-01). "Rock/Indie Review - Bloc Party, A Weekend In The City". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  31. ^ a b c Simon Vozick-Levinson (2007-02-21). "What A Weekend in the City means for Bloc Party". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ "Bloc Party News". Wichita Recordings. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  33. ^ "Bloc Party albums". Australian Charts. Retrieved 2008-04-01.
  34. ^ "Bloc Party chart positions". Ultratop. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  35. ^ "Fall Out Boy Hits 'High' Note With No. 1 Debut". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-05-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ "Amazon.co.uk: The Prayer: Bloc Party: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  37. ^ "The Prayer Hits The Top 5". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  38. ^ "Radio 1 - Zane Lowe - Bloc Party live at Maida Vale". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  39. ^ "Listen to 'A Weekend in the City' Now!". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  40. ^ "Billboard.com - Artist Chart History - Bloc Party". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-04-03. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ "australian-charts.com - Australian charts portal". Australian Charts. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  42. ^ "Amazon.co.uk: Flux: Bloc Party: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  43. ^ "Bloc Party announce new single details". NME.
  44. ^ Ruth Barnes (16 December 2007). "Bloc Party On A High". BBC. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  45. ^ a b c "Live : Archive". Bloc Party. Retrieved 2008-05-02.
  46. ^ "Lamacq In The City - Reading Hexagon, 5th Feb 2007". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  47. ^ "Radio 1's Big Weekend - Bloc Party". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  48. ^ "Live Earth - Bloc Party". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  49. ^ "BBC Scotland - T In The Park 2007 - Bloc Party". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  50. ^ "Oxegen '07 Lineup". Oxegen. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  51. ^ "Glastonbury gallery: photographs by Bloc Party". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  52. ^ "Reading and Leeds 2007 - Artists/Line-up". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  53. ^ "Austin City Limits - Bloc Party followed by Ghostland Observatory". PBS. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  54. ^ "Electric Proms 2007 - Bloc Party". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-04.
  55. ^ a b c "Radio 1 - Zane Lowe tracklisting archives". BBC. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  56. ^ a b "Bloc Party unveil surprise new single on radio". NME. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  57. ^ "Bloc Party to release new material tomorrow (July 7)?". NME. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  58. ^ "Bloc Party irritate fans with 'countdown'". NME. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  59. ^ a b "Bloc Party unveils new single on BBC radio". Billboard. Retrieved 2008-07-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  60. ^ Tom Thorogood (2008-07-08). "Bloc Party announce surprise new single". MTV. Retrieved 2008-07-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  61. ^ "Videos: Bloc Party". blocparty.com. Retrieved 2008-07-07.
  62. ^ "Bloc Party ditch dance edge". NME. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  63. ^ Kasia Galazka (2007-09-06). "Bloc Party talks touring, crisps". Paste. Retrieved 2008-07-07. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  64. ^ a b "Live Celebrity Answers - Kele Okereke from Bloc Party". Any Question Answered. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  65. ^ "OneMusic Documentaries - Time For Heroes: Gang Of Four". BBC. 2005-08-15. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  66. ^ Matt Dyson (2005-08-30). "Berkshire - festivals - Review: Bloc Party". BBC. Retrieved 2008-05-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  67. ^ "Bloc Party reveal new sound". NME. Retrieved 2008-05-04. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  68. ^ Daniel Melia (2006-02-24). "Bloc Party Plan Experimental "Radiohead" Like Second Album". Gigwise. Retrieved 2008-07-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  69. ^ Kasia Galazka (2007-09-06). "Bloc Party talks touring, crisps". Paste. Retrieved 2008-07-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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