A long delay taking the stage might have been the first indicator that not all was right in the world of Bloc Party on Saturday night. However, it wasn’t until midway through their set that it became fully apparent that something was off. Which isn’t to say Bloc Party’s show was bad. In fact, I begin my review with this as a testament to the band’s perseverance over difficulties to deliver a solid show.

Having seen Bloc Party perform live numerous times before, including just a week before at the Austin City Limits Festival, I was used to seeing the band bring their post-dance-punk to life with inspired energy. However, when lead singer Kele Okereke apologized for half the band being very ill, it put their performance that evening into perspective.

Despite being under the weather, the band blasted through their setlist with more zeal than many of their contemporaries could muster in full health. After all, it was only a year ago that drummer Matt Tong was hospitalised after suffering a collapsed lung while on tour - and both he and the band seemed to bounce back from the injury with surprising resiliency.

Sticking to the more popular material from their two albums, the crowd’s response was nothing short of enthusiastic approval. As if the music were not enough, securing the love of the audience was frontman Okereke who stage dove, ran laps through the crowd, and even attempted to climb the stage’s curtains. By the end of the show’s three song encore, I was (once again) impressed by Bloc Party and left suspecting that not even the avian flu could prevent the band from hammering out an electric set.

VIDEO:
“Like Eating Glass” Live @ House of Blues (Dallas, TX)

“This Modern Love” Live @ House of Blues (Dallas, TX)