Bloc Party @ Wolverhampton Civic Hall

Apr 17 2007 By Adam Smith, Birmingham Mail

AFTER shifting over a million copies of their debut album quicker than you can say their name, Bloc Party are facing the thorn in every hit band's side - releasing the follow up.

But unlike Silent Alarm, new release A Weekend In The City, has a clear focus.

Picking out both the positive and negative, London-based front man Kele Okereke wanted to recreate that Friday to Sunday feeling in stark, honest detail.

The burning question is, is it as good as their Mercury-nominated debut?

Ask anyone stumbling out of their gig at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall and the answer would be a resounding yes.

The fans were as on form as the band, responding to the intro of every song with a deafening roar of appreciation. But like most second album tours, it was tracks from the first that really set the Civic alight.

From the commotion down the front, Positive Tension and This Modern Love were clear favourites.

No doubt, new singles The Prayer and I Still Remember will get the same reception when they come back with album number three.