I woke up at 5am today, with a view to getting to HMV for about 6am, but it was a hard time getting out of the house. I got there about 6.30am and saw that there was only 1 person there, so decided to go to McD’s for breakfast. By the time I got back, there was about 10 people in front of me. Aly came along not long after and we were happily queuing only to find that, being at the main entrance to the store, we were at the wrong spot and the queue started around the corner. We hauled arse and found another 10 people there already, so there was bout 20 people in front of me. But it didn’t matter because we were getting the wristbands only.

A security guard came along and put a notice on the door, which made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. I’ll leave you to work it out.

They were late opening the doors for us to go get our wristbands. Must’ve been about 9.15. Tut-tut….

When we got inside we were told we had to buy the album, in order to get a wristband, which I thought was a bit of a con. Most of us [well, the true fans anyhow] had already pre-ordered the album [I got my copy Saturday morning]. Anyhow, I decided to buy the picture disc of the album, together with a spare copy for the car.

Afterwards, we were messing around in the shop and singing rather loudly as they were playing the album over the loudspeaker. I had to get back home, as I had to go to work half day, but ended up only staying for 45 mins [I was able to negotiate the rest of the day off….]

I got back to HMV just after 1pm and waiting it out with 2 others, who had the good sense to get there early [Hi Darren and Kathryn]. Aly, Sarah and Laurie came along after and we passed the time messing around and scrawling graffiti on the wall.

We got let in at 5pm, which was a nice surprise as we thought opening time was 6pm. When we got inside, they had erected weird barriers in each aisle facing the stage, that we had to stand in. The gap must’ve been about 5 feet, space enough for photographers. It was awkward because it wasn’t a proper ‘front row’ as such and you didn’t have any real room to jump about.

Bloc Party came along, not long after to rapturous applause and performed a blinding set, although it was a bit clinical because the crowd’s response was rubbish [not many knew the songs/moved about]. The setlist was originally going to be One Month Off/Trojan Horse/Signs/Better Than Heaven/Ion Square/Ares/Flux, but they changed it at the last minute to include ‘Halo’, which is a top song live. It came after Trojan Horse.

Kele wore his ‘Choose Life’ t-shirt inside out. I was going to ask him why after the gig, but I forgot. The sound quality of the gig was great - a lot better than the Apple Store gig. Matt’s drumming was extraordinarily superb this evening [when is it never?]. I am so in awe of his abilities. Ares was stonkingly good and you could hear Gordy’s synth-drums loud and clear. I did film some of the gig, but only clips as I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could [pictures are here]. There was some guy videoing it for the back screen anyway. Whether we’ll get to see that is another thing.

Bloc left the stage and we wanted an encore, but didn’t get one…

SETLIST

Trojan Horse
Halo
Signs
Better Than Heaven
Ion Square
Ares
Flux

They held the signing at the front of the stage, which was cool. We were amongst the first in line, but we got hurried on by the security, who said we could only get one thing signed [the actual ‘Intimacy’ album only] and no pictures were allowed. The guy did allow us to get setlists signed, which was just so nice of him…… Some other arsehole security guard kept saying that Bloc Party are ’shit’. I let it go once, but he kept going on and on and being really stupid, so I had to cuss him out in front of everyone - loudly. You’re being paid to be there and you have the audacity to slag off my favourite band! He was well out of order and totally unprofessional.

After we got our things signed, we hung out on the side of the stage as the band patiently and methodically signed for everyone. There were some people who were ‘guests’ and they got other stuff signed like posters and other Bloc albums, which I thought was a tad unfair. Plus, they seemed to have a bit more time with the band. I was trying to get some pictures of them signing, but the goon-headed security guards kept getting in the way.

When Bloc Party got through the queue, we went over and asked for pictures with them, which they happily obliged [thank you kindly]. I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I last got a picture with my boys. Time really does fly. I also got chatting with Matt and Russell. It was nice to spend a bit of time with them, even if it was fleeting.

I bumped into Rebekah and her cute little brother, who she is getting into Bloc Party [that’s it girl, start ‘em young].

It was my first ’signing’ and things went well on the whole. Bloc were very friendly, polite and generally awesome to all and sundry.

But, it can’t beat the Apple Store gig…

VIDEOS [More to follow]

Bloc Party signing autographs

I got to see Bloc Party’s iTunes Live gig last night a The Apple Store on Regent Steet. It was for competition winners mainly, but some waitlist people got in too.

The Apple Store was weird at first. It was a somewhat unusual setting for a gig. They took you upstairs to the first floor where there was a cinema type setup i.e. about 6 rows of chairs, where we already found people sitting - some of them quite young children! Must’ve been the families of Apple staff, who were also at the gig.
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Just got back. Here’s a very quick review. Firstly the setlist:

Halo
Hunting For Witches
Positive Tension
Talons
Signs
Song For Clay
Banquet
Better Than Heaven
Mercury
This Modern Love
The Prayer
So Here We ARe
Like Eating Glass

Ares
Price Of Gas
Flux
Helicopter

SKELETON!!!!

Was really looking forward to hearing the new songs and getting Ares was a real treat. I think the band still need to work on the presentation of the new songs because they sounded a bit light/scarce…

Highlights for me were:

Seeing Gordy! [yay!]
Matt’s drumstick flying out of his hand and hitting him in the face and he was unable to do his drumbreak during on of the songs. Funny as hell…
Kele’s outfit - he had on shortpants, a Micky Mouse t-shirt and a baseball cap. Reminded me of Charlie Brown.

I was yelling at Kele after they played Ares, I wanted to say thank you, but then he proceeds to come over to me and hands me the microphone [again…..]. I just said “Thanks for Ares. I’ve been looking forward to hearing that live. God bless you.”

I wish I’d had said more - like welcome back Gordy and congratz on the new album, but when you’re put on the spot, sometimes the old grey matter doesn’t kick in as fast as it should….

On the downside, the lighting was poor and there was a lot of smoke, so I was unable to get good pictures. Apart from that it was a banger of a night and well worth waiting 9 hours for…

Big up to Becs, Dan [sorry you couldn’t be there mate], Chris, Aly, Kara and Jack. Also Kash and his posse

I’ll have pix up tomorrow. Vids are uploading and will be here - eventually.

http://uk.youtube.com/user/Keanuette2

Sorry, must sleep…

Nettie xox

Pictures are here…

Got back from Reading not long ago. Bloc played a stormer! They better well be headlining next year!

The sound quality at Reading was superb. I’m so glad that I decided to go, because everything went off without a hitch. I was on the barrier, normally a scary place, but there were no knobends in the crowd this time around…

I couldn’t see Matt from where I was, but could just about see Kele/Russell ok. (more…)

Pin Me Down recently announced their first few gigs, so I just had to go along to lend my support.

The first gig was Wednesday at Monto Water Rats. I was hoping more Bloc Party/Pin Me Down fans would be in attendance, but I was a little dismayed at the turnout. Being a pub, most folks were outside, drinking and enjoying the relatively mild night air. Their loss…

It was a good set, but the sound was a little off for me. Apparently, the sound engineer had a bit of an ‘tude during soundcheck. I suspect sabotage, but who am I to judge.

Having seen the band again tonight at Proud Galleries [which I must say is a fantastic venue with a great soundsystem] they were in their element and gave it their all.

Lead singer/guitarist Milena Mepris goaded the crowd to have fun and start dancing. She was ‘pretty in pink’, having on a fuschia 3 tiered prom dress. And, my girl can certainly rock the guitar!

You can’t help but move to Pin Me Down’s sound. It’s infectious, dancy electro pop with lashings of guitar motifs, not dismisilar to some Bloc Party songs, but they have forged their own sound and attitude.

In attendance were Kele and Matt from Bloc Party, who came down to show their support for their band brother’s new musical adventure. I managed to say hi and chat to both of them.

Here’s some videos and pictures will be posted soon.

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There I go again, getting my mug on the NME website….

There’s some nice pictures of Kele, that I’ve put in the gallery.

I will write a full review tomorrow. Meantime, go here to see my pictures on Flickr.com.

Hey!

Have a wicked Xmas everyone. Eat, drink and be merry. I already started on the champers.

Here’s a l’il prezzie for ya. Just click on the pic…

14th December 2007

Got to the venue about 3pm and already there were a few hardcore Bloc boardies queuing up so it was a nice little reunion of the ‘posse’. Big up to Dan, Wasim, Kara, Fiona, Teri, Rebecca, Aly, Chris, Alex and his girlfriend [unfortuantely Jack couldn’t make it. You were sorely missed dude]. It was cold, so we huddled up as best we could. Time seems to go by really slowly. Dan had won the recent ‘Blocumentary’ competition and got whisked away to interview Gordon Moakes [lucky dubber]. Here’s his report. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke.
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If you didn’t manage to get a ticket to the Led Zepplin reunion gig yesterday, the place to be instead was The Cockpit in Leeds, where Bloc Party played their exclusive NME secret gig.

The Marshals fans were out in force waiting in the freezing cold to get inside the tiny, legendary venue, so small, the support act, who were One Night Only had to play on another stage inside, as they couldn’t fit on the main stage. You could hear them playing in the other room quite clearly and even though their single is Jo Whiley’s current song of the week, I didn’t like them personally. All their songs sound the same and were boring as. I’d much rather be listening to The Thirst, who are more in keeping with Bloc Party’s sound.

Also there was a rumour that Lethal Bizzle was meant to be supporting too, but apparently it got cancelled.
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