Concert Review
Bloc Party
w/ Bear Mountain
The Rapids Theatre
Niagara Falls, NY
Sunday June 2, 2013
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The Rapids Theatre hosted two bands that have loyal followers while being from two different regions, The UK’s Bloc Party and Vancouver’s Bear Mountain. Sunday both indie bands put on display intricate performances that showcased to the crowd on why they are bands on the rise.
Bear Mountain opened the affair with a lively set that seemed all too short to the Rapids crowd. Billed as an electro-dance band vocalist/bassist Ian Bevis, guitarist Kyle Statham, keyboardist Kenji Rodriguez and drummer Greg Bevis seemed more a band with synth-rock roots with other added elements to give the band a unique sound. Their cover of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” went over very good with the crowd.
The bands forty minute set featured a backdrop of four triangles pointed down that flashed images behind the band to give enhance the ambiance. The band also took time to acknowledge shy Kenji’s birthday as Bevis led the crowd through a chorus of “Happy Birthday”, Kenji seemed a little embarrassed hiding behind his laptop.
The band just released their debut album XO and are starting to make a name for their live performances which comes across as fresh and exhilarating. Definitely keep your eyes and ears open for Bear Mountain as you will surely be hearing about them for many years to come.
Bear Mountain set the table well for Bloc Party who have been together since 1999 then released their debut in 2005. Featuring vocalist/guitarist Kele Okereke, guitarist Russell Lissack both of whom have been around since the formation. Rounding out the band are bassist Gordon Moakes and drummer Matt Tong. The band reached platinum status in their homeland with Silent Alarm. With A Weekend In The City they climbed all the way to number twelve on the Billboard charts.
No stranger to America, the band is in the midst of a an east coast run supporting their latest effort Four, released last August. The band performed many of their best known songs such as “Banquet” and “Helicopter”. For a wrinkle the band even debuted a new song entitled “Ratchet” that was included in the encore just before ending the show with “Like Eating Glass”.
The pairing of these two bands was wonderful as they both have a different kind of vibe and style compared to your everyday run of the mill type bands you find on radio these days.
Bloc Party Set List
Hunting For Witches
Team A
She’s Hearing Voices
Real Talk
Waiting For The 7:18
Song For Clay
Banquet
Coliseum
Letter To My Son
Mercury
So He Begins To Lie
Octopus
The Prayer
Encore
Signs
Ares
Flux
Helicopter
2nd Encore
Truth
Ratchet
Like Eating Glass
