Bloc Party

EMMA LEE

UEA LCR, Norwich

Bloc Party's second album, A Weekend In The City, hasn't even been released yet, but it's already been hailed by some critics as the most important record of the year.

And judging by the sneak preview the sold-out crowd got at UEA's LCR last night, they might not be far wrong.

The second date of their tour was a homecoming of sorts - drummer Matt Tong is a former UEA student.

It's risky for a band to start a set with two new tracks but they got away with it, especially as they were followed by old favourites - Positive Tension, Blue Light and Banquet.

Always exciting live, with screaming walls of guitar and disco beats, the band were clearly having as much fun as the audience, with frontman Kele Okereke wearing a big grin for most of the set.

As he sings on their latest single, The Prayer, “Tonight... I will outshine all.” And they definitely did.