Live / Bloc Party, Earls Court, 22/02/13

Back from the dead, back with a stunning new album, back at the very same venue they raised the roof at four years ago; Bloc Party’s return to Earl’s Court was a recipe for success. And yet the indie rockers are here for just one night only as opposed to 2009’s pair of headline sets, and pre-show buzz doesn’t seem to be reaching the peaks that it did back then. Perhaps not everyone has stuck with them through the last few years; what with an uneasy hiatus that saw rumours of a complete break up accompany the release of frontman Kele Okereke’s solo work.

But those that are here prove their loyalty with a roaring effort to replicate Kele’s vocals during opening track So He Begins To Lie, the song that introduces latest album, Four.  The moody tune is a far cry from any of the songs found on 2008’s Intimacy, quickly establishing Four’s status as a rock album first and foremost. Here, it instead warms up the crowd for an evening that will shine a light on all corners of the band’s varied discography.

If there’s a stride to hit it’s quickly found in the next song, Hunting for Witches, which boasts and instantly recognisable sound that hits the audience like a defibrillator. It’s a moment that reassures that this is a band that knows what it’s doing; the rest of the evening bounces back and forth between new material and a swarm of hits without the slightest hint of a misfire for the entire set. There aren’t many bands out there that get such a reaction of sheer delight from the first note of almost every song, which is something the group should be immensely proud of.

It is, then, a bit of a shame to admit that the on stage chemistry doesn’t seem to be up there with the rest of the night. It’s likely attributed to final show fatigue (drummer Matt Tong at one point awkwardly jokes that he needs a vacation), but the members seem noticeably distant. This is after all meant to be a triumphant return to home turf, yet all signs point to just another show over anything special. Not that the spectacular lighting effects and Kele’s energetic movements leave you wanting, more the feeling that there’s more the band can get out of itself in the time it has.

The 20 track set unavoidably holds some surprising omissions;  rock anthem and recent single Kettling is nowhere to be found, nor debut album Silent Alarm’s fantastic Like Eating Glass. For the hardcore, it will definitely sting that a second show to fill in the blanks didn’t follow like it did in other countries. But as the immortal indie ballad that is Helicopter closes out the night with such energy that Kele need not sing the first few lines, you won’t find a disappointed face in the house. Even when they’re not quite on their A game, Bloc Party put on quite a show.