August 29, 2009 19:43

Bloc Party's Kele Okereke jokes about Oasis split at Leeds Festival

Frontman makes quip during Main Stage slot

Photo Gallery: Bloc Party
Photo: Richard Johnson

Bloc Party's Kele Okereke made a joke about Noel Gallagher leaving Oasis during their Main Stage slot at Leeds Festival this evening.

The band were playing second from top of the bill on the stage, before Radiohead's scheduled headline slot, when the singer/guitarist mentioned Gallagher's decision to leave the Manchester band.

"How are we dealing with the news?" he said before 'Mercury', just past the set's halfway mark. "One of the great British institutions is no more. The final series of 'Big Brother'. Did you think I meant Oasis? Just kidding."

Earlier in the set he had made a plea to the crowd to get involved in their show despite the huge popularity of the headliners, up next. "I like the Radioheads as much as anyone," he said, "but for the next hour you're watching Bloc Party, so come on."

Later on 'Song For Clay (Disappear Here)' segued into 'Banquet', during which the frontman yelled, "Come on you fuckers, dance!"

Next they played recent stand-alone single 'One More Chance' which, as Okereke told the crowd, was the first live airing of the song in the UK. "It's a song for dancing to," he said after saying "Leeds, jeez...", seemingly a touch frustrated with the crowd.

"This is the first time we've done Leeds before Reading. Usually we are a bit tired before playing Leeds, but we're firing on all cylinders," he said later, getting more into the mood.

"There are two more songs to play before the big 'R'," Okereke said before ending the set with 'Flux' and 'Helicopter'. "Make them count." The statement seemed to perk up the crowd, who sang along loudly to the closing numbers.

Bloc Party played:

'One Month Off'
'Hunting For Witches'
'Positive Tension'
'Signs'
'Song For Clay (Disappear Here)'
'Banquet'
'One More Chance'
'Mercury'
'So Here We Are'
'The Prayer'
'Flux'
'Helicopter'

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