Bloc Party Celebrate Anniversary With Goodbye to Reading

Posted on Aug 31st 2009 6:39AM by Rebecca Laurence

Bloc Party were in celebratory mode as they took to the Reading stage on Sunday night, just before headliners Radiohead. The band formed in 1999 at the same festival, so the night underscored a special 10-year mark in their career.

Singer Kele Okereke told the crowd, "Ten years ago I asked this guy (Russell Lissack) to play guitar for me -- this song goes out to all the young kids in bands out there," before playing 'Silent Alarm' hit 'This Modern Love.'

Kele was in the mood to party, demanding a drink and joking, "Tonight I'm going to get f---ed up," before jumping on a security guard's shoulders and high-fiving the crowd.

Bloc Party's set was peppered with gems from all three albums, including 'Hunting for Witches,' 'Banquet' and 'Song for Clay (Disappear Here)'. 'Two More Years' got the ebullient crowd jumping, as did new song 'One More Chance.'

The band were clearly excited about playing before Radiohead, with Kele saying, "We've nearly come to the end, but you've got the big 'R' coming up,' while drummer Matt Tong joked, "Thom's doing chinups backstage getting primed for the show."

The performance was also somewhat of a farewell to Reading, as Kele announced before the final song, "We won't be back here next year ... or for the next few years." So the storming finale of 'Helicopter' was both a celebration and an adieu to Bloc Party and Reading festival's 10-year love affair.

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Reading 2009 Pictures

Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58208265), contact WireImage.com

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Karen O of New York based alternative rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207708), contact WireImage.com

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Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend performs live on the main stage during the third and final day of Reading Festival on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. Reading Music Festival 2009 - Day 3 Reading, England United Kingdom August 30, 2009 Photo by Simone Joyner/WireImage.com To license this image (58207764), contact WireImage.com

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READING, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Thom Yorke of Radiohead performs on stage on Day 3 of Reading Festival 2009 on August 30, 2009 in Reading, England. (Photo by Andy Sheppard/Redferns) *** Local Caption *** Thom Yorke

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