NME AWARDS TOUR 2016 | LIVE REVIEW
Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 29 Jan
For a magazine that has taken a little step backwards of late, to then put on a show like this warrants a thumbs-up. Cardiff was the first date of the 2016 tour; while headliners Bloc Party didn’t exactly fit the Hot New Band template that people assume this part of the NME brand to be pushing, they were magnificent – but more of them later.
The Manchester-reared Bugzy Malone opened proceedings with a showcase of grime at its finest. Full of confidence from the off and showing some mad skillz (don’t worry, I was there with Roll Deep), whether it was brand-new banger Pegasus or six-month-old Pains, Bugzy brought his A-game tonight and the less than half-full hall didn’t phase him.
Next up was Rat Boy who, for all his ‘wasted bad-boy’ posturing, was ultimately enjoyable. Well-known tracks like Sign On and Fake ID were wheeled out, while samples such as Withnail & I’s “GETINTHEBACKOFTHEVAN” and Syramip’s Skinhead Moonstomp demonstrates good taste. Still, Milk Kan were doing this kind of thing first, and some time ago.
Drenge, up next, were full of a mixture of aggression, spite and warmth. Rock star-named vocalist Eoin Loveless had no problem getting the crowd engaged; certainly, the duo’s live showing overstepped my expectations, tracks like Bloodsports and We Can Do What We Want perfectly presenting their grunge-meets-garage charms.
And so on to the main event: Bloc Party didn’t disappoint. Kele Okereke was aggrandising the appeal of his enduring indie combo from the off, and it was good to see love for Banquet – now nine years old – from people who were likely still at primary school when it was released. New selections like The Love Within proved that they’re still relevant and important as they were then, and full of energy to boot. It’d been some time since I saw Bloc Party live, but this was the best to date.
Right, I’m off to buy something by ALL of the bands and listen to Milk Kan’s Bling Bling Baby. Excellent!
words JUSTIN EVANS photos TIM ALBAN