Editing Bloc Party (section)

==History==

===Formation and rising popularity (1999–2004)===
Russell Lissack and Kele Okereke first met in 1998 in London. Lissack had attended [[Bancroft's School]], while Okereke attended [[Ilford County High School]], then [[Trinity Catholic High School, Woodford Green]] for [[sixth form]]. They bumped into each other again in 1999 at [[Reading and Leeds Festivals|Reading Festival]] and decided to form a band.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/rock/story/0,,1984350,00.html |title=Kele Okereke: 21st century boy |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=2 May 2008 |date=7 January 2007 |location=London |first=Craig |last=McLean |archive-date=18 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418122922/http://music.guardian.co.uk/rock/story/0,,1984350,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Bassist [[Gordon Moakes]] joined after answering an advert in ''[[NME]]'', and drummer [[Matt Tong]] joined after an audition.<ref name="Guardian" /> After going through a variety of names, such as Union, The Angel Range, and Diet, the band settled on Bloc Party in September 2003, a play on ''[[block party]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.soundsxp.com/754.shtml | title = Interview: Bloc Party | access-date = 31 December 2006 | author = G, Chris | date = 10 May 2004 | publisher = SoundsXP | archive-date = 28 September 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928205234/http://www.soundsxp.com/754.shtml | url-status = live }}</ref> The band has said that the name was not intended to be an allusion to the [[Eastern Bloc|Soviet Bloc]] or the Canadian political party [[Bloc Québécois]]. However, Moakes said on the group's official Internet forum that it was more a merging of the eastern "Blocs" and the western "parties", in the political sense. He also notes that the name was not explicitly driven by politics, but rather it "looked, sounded, seemed fine so we went with it."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.beat.com.au/article.php?id=649 |title=Bloc Party |publisher=Beat |date=31 January 2007 |author=Kirsty Brown |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206190200/http://www.beat.com.au/article.php?id=649 |archive-date=6 December 2008 }}</ref>

{{Listen|filename=Bloc Party - Banquet.ogg|title="Banquet"|description="Banquet" was Bloc Party's first and only release by [[Moshi Moshi Records|Moshi Moshi]], and is typical of their early [[indie rock]] style.|format=[[Ogg]]}}

In November 2003, Bloc Party had their track "The Marshals Are Dead" featured on a compilation CD called ''The New Cross'' released by [[Angular Recording Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shazam.com/music/portal/media-type/html/page/album/productid/40000488/Art+Brut/The+New+Cross.html |title=Various: The New Cross: An Angular Sampler |publisher=Shazam |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-date=15 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415194913/http://www.shazam.com/music/portal/media-type/html/page/album/productid/40000488/Art+Brut/The+New+Cross.html |url-status=live }}</ref> They then released their debut single "[[She's Hearing Voices]]" on the then fledgling record label [[Trash Aesthetics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/release/view/1638 |title=Bloc Party – She's Hearing Voices |work=[[Drowned in Sound]] |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061108171300/http://drownedinsound.com/release/view/1638 |archive-date=8 November 2006 }}</ref> Also in 2003 Bloc Party personally mailed Steve Aoki a 7-inch of the track "She's Hearing Voices" and signed to [[Dim Mak Records|Dim Mak]] shortly thereafter. Dim Mak teamed up with VICE, a subsidiary of Atlantic Records, and entered a major label deal for the first time. Dim Mak and Atlantic later released Bloc Party's critically acclaimed and commercially successful Silent Alarm in 2005. The band got their break after Okereke went to a [[Franz Ferdinand (band)|Franz Ferdinand]] concert in 2003, and gave a copy of "She's Hearing Voices" to both lead singer [[Alex Kapranos]] and [[BBC Radio 1]] DJ [[Steve Lamacq]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/artists/bloc-party |title=Bloc Party |work=[[NME]] |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=13 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513073954/http://www.nme.com/artists/bloc-party |url-status=live }}</ref> Lamacq subsequently played the song on his radio show, labelling the track "genius",<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/music/2004/02/clubvelocity.shtml |title=Berkshire Music – Club Velocity |publisher=BBC |date=12 February 2004 |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=13 December 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213171437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/music/2004/02/clubvelocity.shtml }}</ref> and invited them to record a live session for the show.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/lamacq/190104.shtml |title=The downside to being the buzz band of the moment |date=19 January 2004 |author=[[Steve Lamacq]] |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=4 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050404113413/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/lamacq/190104.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The buzz generated off the back of the single led to another release, "[[Banquet/Staying Fat]]", this time through [[Moshi Moshi Records]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moshimoshimusic.com/releases/bloc-party/banquet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061119192425/http://www.moshimoshimusic.com/releases/bloc-party/banquet |archive-date=19 November 2006 |title=Releases: Banquet |publisher=[[Moshi Moshi Records]] |access-date=2 May 2008 }}</ref> and to the eventual signing with independent label [[Wichita Recordings]] in April 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/music/biography/bloc_party_biog.html |title=Bloc Party biography |publisher=[[Tiscali]] |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010203147/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/music/biography/bloc_party_biog.html |archive-date=10 October 2008 }}</ref>

===''Silent Alarm'' (2004–2006)===
[[File:Kele Russell.JPG|thumb|right|Bloc Party's Lissack and Okereke on stage in [[Cardiff]] in October 2005]]

Bloc Party's debut album, ''[[Silent Alarm]]'', was released in February 2005 and was met with universal critical acclaim.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/blocparty/silentalarm?q=Bloc%20Party|title=Silent Alarm by Bloc Party|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=14 April 2009}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It was voted 'Album of the Year' for 2005 by ''[[NME]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear |title=''NME'' Album of the Year Archive |work=[[NME]] |access-date=21 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413112951/http://www.nme.com/reviews/albums/oftheyear |archive-date=13 April 2008 }}</ref> and reached number 3 on the [[UK Albums Chart]] before being certified [[platinum record|platinum]].<ref name="everyhit">{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php |title=Bloc Party – UK Chart positions |publisher=EveryHit |access-date=31 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012195559/http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php |archive-date=12 October 2008  }} ''Note: Search for "Bloc Party".''</ref><ref name="SAplat">{{cite web |url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32559 |title=Platinum Awards Content |publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]] |access-date=31 March 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080420142116/http://www.bpi.co.uk/platinum/platinumright.asp?rq=search_plat&r_id=32559 |archive-date = 20 April 2008}}</ref> The first single from the album, "So Here We Are/Positive Tension", made the top 5 on the [[UK Top 40]] chart.<ref name="everyhit" /> Further singles "Banquet" (which reached number 13 in ''[[NME]]'<nowiki/>''[[NME|s]] 'Top 50 Singles of 2005'), "[[Helicopter (Bloc Party song)|Helicopter]]", and "[[Pioneers (song)|Pioneers]]", whilst failing to repeat this success, still managed to reach the UK top 20.<ref name="everyhit" /> The animated video for "Pioneers," made by the [[Shoreditch]]-based Minivegas design agency,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://minivegas.co.uk/#/work/animation/bloc%20party/97/ |title=Bloc Party – Pioneers |publisher=Minivegas |access-date=31 March 2008 |archive-date=9 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409223817/http://www.minivegas.co.uk/#/work/animation/bloc%20party/97/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was top of the ''[[NME]]'' video charts for four weeks. ''[[NME]]'' tagged them as "art-rock" at that time but the band felt it was too limited.<ref name="Interview 2004">{{cite web |url=http://soundsxp.com/artman2/publish/oldinterviews/Bloc_Party_interview_754.shtml |author=Chris G |title=Interview Bloc Party |publisher=Soundsxp |date=10 May 2004 |access-date=14 March 2012 |archive-date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525122036/http://soundsxp.com/artman2/publish/oldinterviews/Bloc_Party_interview_754.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

The band received positive reviews from critics in the United States and they toured there heavily in the 18 months that followed the release of ''Silent Alarm''.<ref name="live06">{{cite web|url=http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2006 |title=Live: Archive |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731134053/http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2006 |archive-date=31 July 2008 }}</ref> In early 2006, they finished their tour with sold-out shows in Los Angeles, Miami and [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]].<ref name="live06" /> The album went on to sell more than 350,000 copies in North America and over a million worldwide.<ref name="SAplat" /> After this success, the established electronic group, [[The Chemical Brothers]], soon collaborated with Okereke for "[[Believe (The Chemical Brothers song)|Believe]]", a track on their ''[[Push the Button (The Chemical Brothers album)|Push the Button]]'' album.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/4r63/ |title=Chemical Brothers, Push The Button |publisher=BBC |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-date=29 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929233935/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/4r63/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An album of remixes of tracks from ''Silent Alarm'' had also been released at the end of August 2005 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000AL6W10 |title=Silent Alarm Remixed: Bloc Party: Music |website=Amazon UK |access-date=2 May 2008 }}</ref> This remix album, entitled ''[[Silent Alarm Remixed]]'', retained the album's original track list and includes remixes from the likes of [[Ladytron]], [[M83 (band)|M83]], [[Death from Above 1979]], [[Four Tet]], and [[Mogwai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=153&s_news=165 |title=Silent Alarm Remixed |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708015551/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=153 |archive-date=8 July 2011 }}</ref>

During July 2005, Bloc Party recorded two new tracks with ''Silent Alarm'' producer [[Paul Epworth]]. The songs were released as a single with a [[B-side]], titled "[[Two More Years (song)|Two More Years]]",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=157 |title=Hear The New Single! |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=3 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071019023120/http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=157 |archive-date = 19 October 2007}}</ref> to coincide with the band's October 2005 UK tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2005 |title=Live: 2005 Archive |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=3 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731134048/http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2005 |archive-date=31 July 2008 }}</ref> The tour was also accompanied by a re-issue of ''Silent Alarm'', which included "Two More Years" and former single "[[Little Thoughts/Tulips|Little Thoughts]]" as [[bonus track]]s. A remix of "Banquet" by [[The Streets]], as well as a music video for the song, were included in the "Two More Years" single.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=161&s_news=165 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708015637/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=161&s_news=165 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |title=Banquet – The Streets Remix Video! |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=3 May 2008 }}</ref> Bloc Party also contributed the track "The Present" to the ''[[Help!: A Day in the Life]]'' compilation, the profits of which benefited the [[War Child (charity)|War Child charity]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000B8TOCQ |title=Help – A Day in the Life |website=Amazon UK |access-date=21 April 2008 }}</ref>

===''A Weekend in the City'' (2006–2008)===
Bloc Party's second album, ''[[A Weekend in the City]]'', was produced by [[Jacknife Lee|Garret "Jacknife" Lee]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/9zmq/ |title=Rock/Indie Review – Bloc Party, A Weekend in the City |publisher=BBC |author=Tom Young |date=1 February 2007 |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=21 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521101213/http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/9zmq/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released in February 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M06K5C |title=A Weekend in the City: Bloc Party |website=Amazon |access-date=3 May 2008 }}</ref> although it was [[music leak|leaked]] in November 2006.<ref name="EW" /> It became available for download on the UK [[iTunes Store]] before the physical release, and reached the number 2 spot on the UK Albums Chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1055075/mika-dominates-uk-album-singles-chart|title=Mika Dominates U.K. Album, Singles Chart|magazine=Billboard|access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> The album also reached number 2 on the [[ARIA Charts|Australian]] and [[Ultratop|Belgian]] charts,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bloc+Party&cat=a |title=Bloc Party albums |publisher=Australian Charts |access-date=1 April 2008 |archive-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201091949/http://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Bloc+Party&cat=a |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ultratop.be/en/search.asp?cat=a&lang=nl&search=Bloc+Party |title=Bloc Party chart positions |publisher=[[Ultratop]] |access-date=3 May 2008 |archive-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201123257/http://www.ultratop.be/en/search.asp?cat=a&lang=nl&search=Bloc+Party |url-status=live }}</ref> and debuted at number 12 in the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], with 48,000 copies sold.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1054981/fall-out-boy-hits-high-note-with-no-1-debut |title=Fall Out Boy Hits 'High' Note With No.&nbsp;1 Debut|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=5 May 2008 }}</ref> The first single, "[[The Prayer (Bloc Party song)|The Prayer]]", was released on 29 January,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000KRMU1K |title=Amazon.co.uk: The Prayer: Bloc Party: Music |website=Amazon UK |access-date=4 May 2008 }}</ref> and became the band's highest charting single in the British Top 40, reaching number 4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=255&s_news=165 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708015642/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=255&s_news=165 |archive-date=8 July 2011 |title=The Prayer Hits The Top 5 |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=4 May 2008 }}</ref> In the buildup to the release of the album, BBC Radio 1 DJ [[Zane Lowe]] aired a live set by the band from [[Maida Vale]] studios on 30 January 2007, featuring a mix of old and new songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/galleries/1006/ |title=Radio 1 – Zane Lowe – Bloc Party live at Maida Vale |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=14 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214234436/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/galleries/1006/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 1 February 2007, ''A Weekend in the City'' was made available to listen to for free through Bloc Party's official MySpace page.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=250 |title=Listen to 'A Weekend in the City' Now! |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071018203534/http://www.blocparty.com/story.php?newsID=250 |archive-date = 18 October 2007}}</ref>

[[File:BlocParty.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Bloc Party at The Brixton Academy, London, UK. October 2005.]]

The next single, "[[I Still Remember]]", was Bloc Party's highest charting American single, peaking at number 24 on the Modern Rock Chart.<ref name="USs">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/bloc-party/chart-history/ |title=Bloc Party |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=3 April 2008 }}</ref> The band released their third single, "[[Hunting for Witches]]", with an accompanying video clip in August 2007. The single became their only ARIA Chart entry, peaking at number 20.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Bloc+Party&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |title=australian-charts.com – Australian charts portal |publisher=Australian Charts |access-date=3 April 2008 |archive-date=16 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416031223/http://www.australian-charts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=Bloc+Party&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2007, it was announced that Bloc Party would release a new single, "[[Flux (Bloc Party song)|Flux]]", on 13 November—ahead of their end of year gigs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WTNDD0 |title=Amazon.co.uk: Flux: Bloc Party: Music |website=Amazon UK |access-date=4 May 2008 }}</ref> The [[electronic music|electronic]] song, also produced by Jacknife Lee,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/31542 |title=Bloc Party announce new single details |work=[[NME]] |access-date=21 April 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182149/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/31542 |url-status=live }}</ref> was very different from previous singles released by the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20071216_bloc.shtml|title=Bloc Party on a High|publisher=BBC|author=Ruth Barnes|date=16 December 2007|access-date=9 June 2008|archive-date=3 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503173645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20071216_bloc.shtml}}</ref>

The band's first gig following the release of ''A Weekend in the City'' was on 5 February 2007, in [[Reading, Berkshire|Reading]],<ref name="live07">{{cite web|url=http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2007 |title=Live: Archive |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=2 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731134058/http://www.blocparty.com/gigs.php?year=2007 |archive-date=31 July 2008 }}</ref> and was broadcast live on [[BBC 6 Music]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/litc/galleries/1045/ |title=Lamacq in the City – Reading Hexagon, 5&nbsp;Feb&nbsp;2007 |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=16 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116060952/http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/events/litc/galleries/1045/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 20 May 2007, Bloc Party headlined on the ''In New Music We Trust'' stage at the BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend in [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Radio 1's Big Weekend – Bloc Party |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=5 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105110357/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2007/artists/blocparty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They also performed at the UK leg of [[Live Earth]] on 7 July 2007 at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liveearth/artists/blocparty/ |title=Live Earth – Bloc Party |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=19 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219192832/http://www.bbc.co.uk/liveearth/artists/blocparty/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, the band played sets at [[T in the Park]] and [[Oxegen 2007|Oxegen 07]] that same weekend,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/artists/bloc_party |title=BBC Scotland – T in the Park 2007 – Bloc Party |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070715061122/http://www.bbc.co.uk/tinthepark/artists/bloc_party |archive-date = 15 July 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oxegen.ie/line_up.php |title=Oxegen '07 Lineup |publisher=[[Oxegen]] |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080422094234/http://www.oxegen.ie/line_up.php |archive-date = 22 April 2008}}</ref> as well as [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]] and the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]] later in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/arts/gallery/2007/jun/25/blocparty?picture=330078810 |title=Glastonbury gallery: photographs by Bloc Party |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=4 May 2008 |location=London |date=25 June 2007 |archive-date=30 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530051656/http://www.theguardian.com/arts/gallery/2007/jun/25/blocparty?picture=330078810 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2007/artists/#b |title=Reading and Leeds 2007 – Artists/Line-up |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=30 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080130201656/http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2007/artists/#b |url-status=live }}</ref> Bloc Party announced a tour of Australia and New Zealand in August 2007, which would include a special appearance at the [[Splendour in the Grass]] Festival on 5 August.<ref name="live07" /> On 17 September 2007, they recorded a set for the [[PBS]] show [[Austin City Limits]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=635 |title=Austin City Limits – Bloc Party followed by Ghostland Observatory |publisher=PBS |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=8 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308211541/http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=147&Itemid=635 }}</ref> a day after playing at the [[Austin City Limits Music Festival]].<ref name="live07" /> On 27 October, the band performed a set at London's [[The Roundhouse]] with the [[Exmoor Singers of London Chamber Choir|Exmoor Singers]], a London-based choir, as part of the [[BBC Electric Proms]]. The set included songs from both ''Silent Alarm'' and ''A Weekend in the City'' along with the first British live performance of "Flux".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/blocparty/ |title=Electric Proms 2007 – Bloc Party |publisher=BBC |access-date=4 May 2008 |archive-date=23 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423231018/http://www.bbc.co.uk/electricproms/2007/artists/blocparty/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Intimacy'' (2008–2009)===
"[[Mercury (song)|Mercury]]" was released as the first single from Bloc Party's third album in August 2008.<ref name="ZL08">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080707 |title=Radio 1 – Zane Lowe tracklisting archives |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108063150/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/zanelowe/tracklistingarchive.shtml?20080707 |url-status=live }}</ref> Again produced by Jacknife Lee and Paul Epworth, ''[[Intimacy (Bloc Party album)|Intimacy]]'' was rush-released later that month, with the album available to download 3 days after an announcement in August 2008. Later in the month the band played second on the bill at the Reading and Leeds Festivals<ref name="BBC_Bloc_Party">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/artists/blocparty/|title=BBC – Reading and Leeds Festivals 2008 – Bloc Party|publisher=BBC|access-date=6 September 2008|archive-date=5 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905142808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/readingandleeds/2008/artists/blocparty/|url-status=live}}</ref> before headlining the [[Connect Music Festival|Hydro Connect Music Festival]] in [[Argyll]], Scotland.<ref name="Connect review">{{cite web|url=http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2008/09/hydro-connect-day-2-review-bloc-party.php|title=Hydro Connect: Day 2 review: Bloc Party|date=4 September 2008|publisher=Theregoesthefear|access-date=6 September 2008|archive-date=10 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910031828/http://www.theregoesthefear.com/2008/09/hydro-connect-day-2-review-bloc-party.php}}</ref>

During the autumn of 2008, the band went on a short tour of North America, which included an appearance at the [[Virgin Festival]] in [[Toronto]], as well as the band's first ever American college show at [[Syracuse University]] and an appearance at the 2008 edition of [[MTV Video Music Brazil]], their first concert in South America, which was negatively received due to the band choosing to [[Miming in instrumental performance|mime]] their performance.<ref name="Juice Jam 2008">{{cite web|url=http://sunews.syr.edu/story_details.cfm?id=5198|title=Syracuse-born band Ra Ra Riot to open Juice Jam 2008&nbsp;Sept.&nbsp;7 on SU campus, along with rapper Talib Kweli and headliner Bloc Party|publisher=[[Syracuse University]]|access-date=7 September 2008}} {{Dead link|date=June 2010| bot=DASHBot}}</ref> They made their live return to the UK on 30 September 2008 with a special gig in London as part of [[Q Awards|Q Awards: The Gigs]]. They also played the [[Glasgow]] date of [[MTV2]]'s and [[Topman]]'s "Gonzo on Tour" on 19 October 2008.<ref name="Gonzo Tour 2008">{{cite web|url=http://www.barflyclub.com/glasgow/whatson/event/19420.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915191340/http://www.barflyclub.com/glasgow/whatson/event/19420.aspx|archive-date=15 September 2008|title=The Gonzo on Tour 2008: Bloc Party + Magistrates|publisher=[[Barfly (club)|Barfly]]|access-date=6 September 2008}}</ref> A follow-up single, "[[Talons (song)|Talons]]" was released in October 2008. The song was not part of the pre-order album, but did feature on the full album CD release<ref name="''NME'' Talons">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/39593|title=Bloc Party reveal new non-album single – exclusive|work=[[NME]]|access-date=10 September 2008|archive-date=11 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911223921/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/39593|url-status=live}}</ref> and was made freely available to people who already purchased the download-only album.<ref name="Bloc Party Talons">{{cite web|title=Bloc Party announce 'Talons' |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=357 |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=10 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911031302/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=357 |archive-date=11 September 2008 }}</ref> An album of remixes of all tracks on ''Intimacy'', ''[[Intimacy Remixed]]'', was released in May 2009.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=393 | publisher=Bloc Party | title=Intimacy Remixed Announced | date=17 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421141051/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=393 | archive-date=21 April 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The band undertook their first UK tour since December 2007 in October 2009,<ref name="Bloc Party UK Tour 2009">{{cite web|title=2009 UK Tour Confirmed |url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=364 |publisher=Bloc Party |access-date=26 September 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080926153556/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=364 |archive-date=26 September 2008 }}</ref> dubbing it "Bloctober".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=392 | publisher=Bloc Party | title=Bloctober UK tour | date=2 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203165916/http://www.blocparty.com/news.php?newsID=392 | archive-date=3 February 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===''One More Chance'' and hiatus (2009–2011)===
In July 2009, Okereke stated that the band did not have a current recording contract and had no obligation or pressure to release a new album in the foreseeable future; he went on to suggest that the release of a fourth album was on an indefinite timescale.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/46382 |title=Bloc Party: 'We might never make a record again' |work=[[NME]] |access-date=30 July 2009 |archive-date=31 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731010911/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/46382 |url-status=live }}</ref> A new single, "[[One More Chance (Bloc Party song)|One More Chance]]", was released in August 2009. The song did not appear on ''Intimacy'' and was produced by Jacknife Lee. After this, the group went on a hiatus, with the members unsure as to whether they would carry on.<ref>{{cite web |author=Damian Jones |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20091014_blocparty.shtml |title=Bloc Party future uncertain |website=BBC |date=16 October 2009 |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207043303/http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20091014_blocparty.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

During this period of hiatus Lissack revived his project [[Pin Me Down]]<ref name="nme pinmedown">{{cite web|title=Bloc Party's Russell Lissack gears up side project again|url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/49384|work=NME|date=22 January 2010|access-date=23 January 2010|archive-date=24 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124083331/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/49384|url-status=live}}</ref> and joined the live line-up of Irish rock-band [[Ash (band)|Ash]] as guitarist and synthesiser player on their touring for the ''[[A–Z Series]]''.<ref>[https://www.nme.com/news/ash/50240 Bloc Party's Russell Lissack to join Ash for UK tour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221214/http://www.nme.com/news/ash/50240 |date=3 March 2016 }} ''NME'', 16 March 2010</ref> Moakes formed the group [[Young Legionnaire]] with [[Paul Mullen (musician)|Paul Mullen]], vocalist & guitarist of [[The Automatic]], and William Bowerman, drummer for [[La Roux]], releasing a single, "Colossus" in August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://holyroarrecords.com/album.php?id=315&shop=1 |title=Colossus/Iron Dream 7" by Young Legionnaire |publisher=Holy Roar Records |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712214427/http://holyroarrecords.com/album.php?id=315&shop=1 |archive-date=12 July 2011  }}</ref> Okereke released a solo album, ''[[The Boxer (Kele album)|The Boxer]]'', in June 2010. Produced by [[Hudson Mohawke]] and XXXChange, its release was preceded by the single "Tenderoni".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/48219 |title=Bloc Party's Kele Okereke working on solo album |work=NME |date=4 November 2009 |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-date=28 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528170211/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/48219 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/38640-listen-bloc-partys-kele-tenderoni/ |title=Listen: Bloc Party's Kele: "Tenderoni" |work=Pitchfork Media |date=28 April 2010 |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907061539/http://pitchfork.com/news/38640-listen-bloc-partys-kele-tenderoni/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogparty.blocparty.net/ |title=+ text[increment&#93; + |publisher=Blogparty.blocparty.net |access-date=18 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723025635/http://blogparty.blocparty.net/ |archive-date=23 July 2011  }}</ref> Rumours throughout 2011 suggested Okereke had left the group to focus on solo work, though these were denied by other band members.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.state.ie/34272-news/kele-okereke-leaves-bloc-party |title=Kele Okereke to leave Bloc Party? Update: No |first=Niall |last=Byrne |publisher=[[State.ie]] |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007230605/http://www.state.ie/34272-news/kele-okereke-leaves-bloc-party |archive-date=7 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name=Frenchkiss>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/62792 |title=Bloc Party's Kele: 'Here's to some more mighty fine music' |work=[[NME]] |date=22 March 2012 |access-date=26 March 2012 |archive-date=24 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324185735/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/62792 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Four'' and ''The Nextwave Sessions'' (2011–2013) === 
[[File:Bloc Party live at HARD fest, Los Angeles.png|thumb|right|Bloc Party performing songs from ''Four'' at HARD Summer 2012.]]

Bloc Party started writing material for a fourth album in 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wichita-recordings.com/blog/can-we-get-much-higher-wichita-podcast-episode-2/ |title=Can We Get Much Higher: Wichita Podcast Episode 2 |publisher=Wichita Recordings |access-date=11 September 2011 |archive-date=6 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006133701/http://www.wichita-recordings.com/blog/can-we-get-much-higher-wichita-podcast-episode-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="guardian6-4-11">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/06/bloc-party-new-album |title=Bloc Party back together for new album |first=Sean |last=Michaels |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=6 April 2011 |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |oclc=60623878 |access-date=6 April 2011 |archive-date=21 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021132148/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/06/bloc-party-new-album |url-status=live }}</ref> but decided not to play live.<ref name="guardian6-4-11"/> In the meantime Okereke finished an EP titled ''[[The Hunter (Kele EP)|The Hunter]]''.<ref name="KeleTheHunterNME">{{cite web| date=13 September 2011| url=https://www.nme.com/news/kele/59182| title=Bloc Party's Kele Okereke to release new solo EP| work=[[NME]]| access-date=24 September 2011| archive-date=6 October 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006181440/http://www.nme.com/news/kele/59182| url-status=live}}</ref> The group stated they intended to release a new album in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/music/886395-bloc-party-to-release-new-album-later-this-year-with-kele-okereke|title=Bloc Party to release new album later this year with Kele Okereke|work=Metro|date=4 January 2012|access-date=4 January 2012|archive-date=9 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120109042700/http://www.metro.co.uk/music/886395-bloc-party-to-release-new-album-later-this-year-with-kele-okereke|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2012, Bloc Party announced ''[[Four (Bloc Party album)|Four]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rekwired.com/news/bloc-party-annouce-new-album-four/ |title=Bloc Party announce new album Four |publisher=Rekwired |access-date=31 May 2012 |archive-date=11 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811184423/http://rekwired.com/news/bloc-party-annouce-new-album-four/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/64085 |title=Bloc Party name their new album |work=[[NME]] |access-date=31 May 2012 |archive-date=3 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120603033458/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/64085 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blocparty.com/|title=Four|publisher=blocparty.com|access-date=31 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512120950/http://blocparty.com/|archive-date=12 May 2012}}</ref> which was released on 20 August 2012, after being made available to stream in its entirety for over a week preceding release. The album was recorded with Alex Newport, who had previously worked with [[At the Drive-In]] and [[The Mars Volta]], in New York City. Bloc Party released "[[Octopus (Bloc Party song)|Octopus]]" that July and later released another single entitled "Day Four".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/47123-video-bloc-party-octopus |title=Video: Bloc Party: "Octopus" |first=Carrie |last=Battan |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=10 July 2012 |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712073527/http://www.pitchfork.com/news/47123-video-bloc-party-octopus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The band released "Kettling" on 12 November 2012, followed by "Truth" on 25 February 2013. ''Four'' peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and at number 36 on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/47294-new-bloc-party-day-four/ |title=New Bloc Party: "Day Four" |first=Evan |last=Minsker |work=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=28 July 2012 |access-date=28 July 2012 |archive-date=29 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729091845/http://pitchfork.com/news/47294-new-bloc-party-day-four/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The band debuted new material during their 2013 North American tour, including "Children of the Future" at [[Rams Head Live!]], "[[Ratchet (song)|Ratchet]]" at [[The Pageant]], "Montreal" at the [[Ogden Theatre]] and "X-cutioner's Song" at Mr. Smalls Theater in Pittsburgh.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} Lissack later confirmed the band's plans to release a new EP in "northern hemisphere summer". He told Marc Zanotti of Australian website MusicFeeds that the new material was "not like a continuation of the record we've just made, it's a completely separate thing [...] the next step; the next progression".<ref name="musicfeeds">{{cite web |url=http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/new-bloc-party-ep-expected-mid-2013/ |title=New Bloc Party EP Expected Mid-2013 |work=[[MusicFeeds]] |first=Marc |last=Zanotti |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=30 May 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329023153/http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/new-bloc-party-ep-expected-mid-2013/ |url-status=live }}</ref> "French Exit" was given its debut live performance at [[Crystal Ballroom (Portland, Oregon)|Crystal Ballroom]] on 24 May.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}} Some of the new material would feature on ''[[The Nextwave Sessions]]'', an EP announced on 25 June and for release on 12 August via Frenchkiss Records.<ref name="p4kTNWS">{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/51302-bloc-party-announce-new-ep-the-nextwave-sessions/ |title=Bloc Party announce new EP ''The Nextwave Sessions'' |first=Evan |last=Minsker |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=25 June 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |archive-date=26 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626203349/http://pitchfork.com/news/51302-bloc-party-announce-new-ep-the-nextwave-sessions/ }}</ref>

=== Hiatus and line-up changes (2013–2015) ===
During the summer tour of 2013, drummer Matt Tong left the band,<ref name="JAPANCINEMA">{{cite web|url=http://japancinema.net/2014/02/18/creative-spotlight-episode-306-matt-tong-of-bloc-party|title=Creative Spotlight: Episode #306 – Matt Tong of Bloc Party|publisher=Japan Cinema|access-date=5 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125165917/http://japancinema.net/2014/02/18/creative-spotlight-episode-306-matt-tong-of-bloc-party/|archive-date=25 November 2014}}</ref> with [[Sarah Jones (drummer)|Sarah Jones]] filling in on drums for the remaining dates.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/07/20/latitude-festival-2013-bloc-party-say-hello-and-wave-goodbye-3890680/|title=Latitude Festival 2013: Bloc Party say hello and wave goodbye?|first=Chris|last=Swindells|work=Metro|date=20 July 2013|accessdate=26 April 2025}}</ref> Lissack told a Canadian newspaper, the ''[[National Post]]'' that the band were planning to take an indefinite hiatus following their appearance at the Latitude Festival on 19 July.<ref name="TNPhiatus">{{cite web |url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/06/11/bloc-party-plans-indefinite-break-after-summer-festival-circut/ |title=Bloc Party plans indefinite break after summer festival circut |work=[[The National Post]] |publisher=[[Postmedia Network]] |first=Jon |last=Dekel |date=13 June 2013 |access-date=13 June 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620002001/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/06/11/bloc-party-plans-indefinite-break-after-summer-festival-circut/ |archive-date=20 June 2013  }}</ref><ref name="RShiatus">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bloc-party-going-on-indefinite-hiatus-20130612 |title=Bloc Party going on indefinite hiatus |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |first=Dan |last=Reilly |date=12 June 2013 |access-date=13 June 2013 }}</ref> In October 2013, Kele assembled a DJ Mix for [[Studio !K7|!K7]]'s ''Tapes'' mix series, released under the Bloc Party name.<ref name="keletapes">{{cite web |url=http://www.k7.com/BlocParty/ |title=Bloc Party - Tapes |publisher=[[!K7 Records]] |access-date=16 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105010648/http://www.k7.com/BlocParty/ |archive-date=5 November 2013 }}</ref> In September 2014, Okereke stated that Bloc Party were working on a fifth album.<ref name="Vice">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/bloc-partys-kele-okereke-on-being-gay-and-black-in-the-dance-and-rock-worlds/|title=Bloc Party's Kele Okereke on Being Gay and Black in the Dance and Rock Worlds|work=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|date=11 September 2014|access-date=22 September 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924025919/http://thump.vice.com/words/bloc-partys-kele-okereke-on-being-gay-and-black-in-the-dance-and-rock-worlds|archive-date=24 September 2014}}</ref> In March 2015, bassist Gordon Moakes [[Twitter|tweeted]] he had parted ways with Bloc Party.<ref name="IT'S ALL INDIE">{{cite web|url=http://www.itsallindie.com/2015/03/gordon-moakes-leaves-bloc-party.html|title=Gordon Moakes leaves Bloc Party|date=20 March 2015 |publisher=It's All Indie|access-date=20 March 2015|archive-date=25 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325045630/http://www.itsallindie.com/2015/03/gordon-moakes-leaves-bloc-party.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the departure of their former members, Okereke and Lissack started to work on new songs on their own in late 2014.<ref name="NBHAP">{{cite web|url=http://nbhap.com/people/interview-bloc-party|title=Positive Tension: How Kele Okereke revitalized and saved Bloc Party|date=26 January 2016|publisher=NBHAP|access-date=9 February 2016|archive-date=10 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210080822/http://nbhap.com/people/interview-bloc-party/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

At the time, the departures of Moakes and Tong were shrouded in rumour and innuendo. Okereke alluded to drugs being an issue on multiple occasions, after he had to intervene during a Bloc Party performance. He told [[The Guardian]]: "There's a song where somebody makes a mistake and … well, I guess Gordon makes a mistake. And I say something to him, and he kind of responds, and I realised at that point that this was as far as our relationship was gonna go. I've never interfered with anyone's performance before, and I thought that if that was the state of our relationship, it felt fitting that this should be our last show together."<ref name="Guardian2015-11-26">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/26/arguments-apologies-and-scouring-youtube-for-drummers-how-kele-got-bloc-party-restarted |title=Arguments, apologies and scouring YouTube for drummers: how Kele got Bloc Party restarted |work=Guardian |publisher=Guardian |date=2015-11-26 |access-date=2024-08-16 }}</ref> Before the article was published Okereke told [[NME]] that "I can tell you it was about someone doing cocaine and someone not being into it. That's all I'm gonna say."<ref name="NME 2015-11-05">{{cite news |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-11-1202988 |title=Bloc Party frontman blames band's line-up changes on drugs and 'deep-seated issues' |work=NME |date=2015-11-05 |access-date=2024-08-16 }}</ref> Before publication Okereke contacted [[The Guardian]] to address his comments to [[NME]] saying the 'someone' he referenced was a person around the band, not actually in the band: "This then led to a big argument and that's the situation," he says. "I don't want people to think Matt and Gordon were cokeheads, and that's why we had to lose them. And I don't want their families thinking that."<ref name="Guardian2015-11-26">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/nov/26/arguments-apologies-and-scouring-youtube-for-drummers-how-kele-got-bloc-party-restarted |title=Arguments, apologies and scouring YouTube for drummers: how Kele got Bloc Party restarted |work=Guardian |publisher=Guardian |date=2015-11-26 |access-date=2024-08-16 }}</ref> In a 2024 interview, Tong elaborated that his departure was due to feeling unable to continue working with Okereke, with the breaking point being Okereke's attempted removal of someone in the band's touring party whose birthday celebration on their bus involved the aforementioned drugs. Tong claimed he wasn't present during the incident, took exception when he heard about what had happened, and quit via email with the band still in the middle of a summer festival tour.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/former-bloc-party-drummer-matt-tong-explains-why-he-left-the-band-kele-was-an-insurmountable-obstacle-3789168|title=Former Bloc Party drummer Matt Tong explains why he left the band: “Kele was an insurmountable obstacle”|first=Poppy|last=Burton|work=NME|date=2024-08-30|accessdate=2025-04-26}}</ref> In a 2025 interview, Moakes said Tong's departure prompted his own decision to also quit after finishing that tour, since he felt that Tong "was the heartbeat of the band" and that he did not wish to continue in Bloc Party without Tong.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/former-bloc-party-bassist-gordon-moakes-on-his-exit-i-thought-drummer-matt-tong-was-the-heartbeat-of-the-band-3858347|title=Former Bloc Party bassist Gordon Moakes on his exit: “I thought drummer Matt Tong was the heartbeat of the band”|first=Max|last=Pilley|work=NME|date=2025-04-25|accessdate=2025-04-26}}</ref>

Bloc Party unveiled their new line-up at two intimate gigs in the Los Angeles area (19 August 2015 at The Glass House in [[Pomona, California|Pomona]] and 20 August 2015 at The Roxy in Los Angeles). Following these performances, Bloc Party also subheadlined [[FYF Fest]] in Los Angeles on 22 August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=FYF Fest 2015: Bloc Party demands dance party, gets crowd on their feet Saturday|url=http://www.dailynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150823/fyf-fest-2015-bloc-party-demands-dance-party-gets-crowd-on-their-feet-saturday|work=Daily News|date=23 August 2015|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824122852/http://www.dailynews.com/arts-and-entertainment/20150823/fyf-fest-2015-bloc-party-demands-dance-party-gets-crowd-on-their-feet-saturday|url-status=live}}</ref> At these shows, the band confirmed that they've finished recording their next album. The shows marked the live debut for new bassist Justin Harris of the [[Portland, Oregon]], indie rock outfit [[Menomena]],<ref>{{cite web|title = Watch Bloc Party Debut Two New Songs in Pomona|url = https://www.stereogum.com/1825581/watch-bloc-party-debut-two-new-songs-in-pomona/video/#comment-20235721|access-date = 23 August 2015|publisher = Stereogum|last = Helman|first = Peter|date = 20 August 2015|archive-date = 22 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150822191001/http://www.stereogum.com/1825581/watch-bloc-party-debut-two-new-songs-in-pomona/video/#comment-20235721|url-status = live}}</ref> who had previously opened several Bloc Party U.S. tour dates in April 2009;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blocparty.net/gigography2009.html |title=Gigography |publisher=BlocParty.net |access-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108063151/http://blocparty.net/gigography2009.html |archive-date=8 January 2016  }}</ref> and Louise Bartle, who was accidentally announced a month earlier as Bloc Party's drummer by instrument manufacturer [[Natal Drums]] in a since-deleted tweet, leading to fan speculation regarding her membership that was ultimately proved correct.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blocboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=46 |title=Speculation: Louise Bartle to be the next Bloc drummer? |publisher=Blobaords.com |access-date=6 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108063150/http://blocboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=46 |archive-date=8 January 2016 }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=August 2015}} These shows also included the first performances of two new songs called "Eden" and "Exes" according to the setlist.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title = Bloc Party make live return, debut new songs|url = https://diymag.com/2015/08/21/bloc-party-make-live-return-debut-new-songs|website = DIY|date = 21 August 2015|access-date = 21 August 2015|archive-date = 22 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150822132606/http://diymag.com/2015/08/21/bloc-party-make-live-return-debut-new-songs|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party debut new line-up and play new songs live ahead of fifth album release - watch|url = https://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/87727|website = NME|access-date = 23 August 2015|archive-date = 23 August 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150823222535/http://www.nme.com/news/bloc-party/87727|url-status = live}}</ref>

===''Hymns'' and ''Silent Alarm Live'' (2015–2019)===
[[File:BlocParty2015.jpg|thumb|Bloc Party performing in 2015.]]
In a performance at [[Maida Vale Studios|Maida Vale]], Bloc Party gave "The Good News" its live debut; hours later, "The Love Within" was featured as "Hottest Record in the World" by [[Annie Mac]] on [[BBC Radio 1]]. Okereke revealed the band's upcoming fifth album is set to be titled ''[[Hymns (Bloc Party album)|Hymns]]''.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title = Bloc Party's Upcoming Fifth Album - Everything We Know So Far About 'Hymns' {{!}} NME.COM|url = https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/bloc-partys-upcoming-fifth-album-everything-we-know-so-far-about-hymns|website = NME.COM| date=7 October 2015 |access-date = 11 October 2015|language = en-GB|archive-date = 11 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151011032834/http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/bloc-partys-upcoming-fifth-album-everything-we-know-so-far-about-hymns|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party name fifth album 'Hymns', share 'The Love Within'|url = https://diymag.com/2015/10/05/bloc-party-name-fifth-album-hymns-share-the-love-within|website = DIY|date = 5 October 2015|access-date = 11 October 2015|archive-date = 8 October 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151008072407/http://diymag.com/2015/10/05/bloc-party-name-fifth-album-hymns-share-the-love-within|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party announces new album, Hymns, premieres "The Love Within" -- listen|url = https://consequence.net/2015/10/bloc-party-announces-new-album-hymns-premieres-the-love-within-listen/|website = Consequence of Sound|date = 5 October 2015|access-date = 11 October 2015|archive-date = 16 January 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220116183414/https://consequence.net/2015/10/bloc-party-announces-new-album-hymns-premieres-the-love-within-listen/|url-status = live}}</ref> The album's release was later confirmed on social media as 29 January 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party unveil new single 'The Love Within' and announce new album Hymns|url = http://www.hmv.com/ni/music/bloc-party-unveil-new-single-the-love-within-and-announce-new-album-hymns|website = HMV|access-date = 11 October 2015|archive-date = 17 November 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014313/http://www.hmv.com/ni/music/bloc-party-unveil-new-single-the-love-within-and-announce-new-album-hymns|url-status = live}}</ref>

Later in 2016, the band released the standalone single 'Stunt Queen' to mark their performance at the [[Hollywood Bowl]], which Okereke claimed was a "significant milestone" for the band.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party – "Stunt Queen"|url = https://www.stereogum.com/1900089/bloc-party-stunt-queen/mp3s/|website = Stereogum|date = 20 September 2016|access-date = 20 September 2016|archive-date = 21 September 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160921195923/http://www.stereogum.com/1900089/bloc-party-stunt-queen/mp3s/|url-status = live}}</ref> It marks some of the first new material that featured Justin and Louise as co-writers.

March 2018 saw the band announce a series of shows touring their 'Silent Alarm' album which would be played in full.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party to play Silent Alarm in full on 2018 tour|url = https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/bloc-party-to-play-debut-album-silent-alarm-in-full-on-2018-tour-a3793311.html|website = London Evening Standard|date = 19 March 2018|access-date = 19 March 2018|archive-date = 22 March 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190322124256/https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/music/bloc-party-to-play-debut-album-silent-alarm-in-full-on-2018-tour-a3793311.html|url-status = live}}</ref> Due to the success of this short tour, Bloc Party announced further dates in 2019 again playing tracks from the whole of their debut.<ref>{{cite web|title = Bloc Party announce more 'Silent Alarm' UK shows for 2019|url = https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-silent-alarm-uk-shows-2019-2436423|website = NME|date = 22 January 2019|access-date = 22 January 2019|archive-date = 24 January 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190124020716/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-silent-alarm-uk-shows-2019-2436423|url-status = live}}</ref>

===''Alpha Games'' and ''The High Life EP'' (2020–present)===
On 22 January 2020, Okereke announced on his personal social media accounts that Bloc Party had begun writing a new album.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Moore|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/kele-okereke-postpones-2042-solo-tour-to-finish-new-bloc-party-album-2599845|title=Kele Okereke postpones UK solo tour to finish new Bloc Party album|website=[[NME]]|date=22 January 2020|access-date=6 January 2021|archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108172851/https://www.nme.com/news/music/kele-okereke-postpones-2042-solo-tour-to-finish-new-bloc-party-album-2599845|url-status=live}}</ref> On 22 September 2021, Bloc Party posted to their official Twitter account a sneak peek of the tracklist/recording progress of their soon to be released sixth studio album.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1440641938638528519|user=BlocParty|title=📈|date=22 September 2021}}</ref>

On 23 November 2021, Bloc Party released the first single "Traps" off their sixth studio album ''[[Alpha Games]]''. The album was released on 22 April 2022.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/bloc-party-alpha-games/hnum/10790033 |title=Bloc Party: Alpha Games (Limited Edition) (Solid Red Vinyl) (+ handsigniertem Insert, in Deutschland/Österreich/Schweiz exklusiv für jpc!) (2 LPs) – jpc |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123180133/https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/bloc-party-alpha-games/hnum/10790033 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="NME AG Announcement">{{cite web|first=Charlotte|last=Krol|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-return-with-new-song-traps-and-announce-sixth-album-alpha-games-3102859|title=Bloc Party return with new song 'Traps' and announce sixth album 'Alpha Games'|website=[[NME]]|date=23 November 2021|access-date=23 November 2021|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123183415/https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-return-with-new-song-traps-and-announce-sixth-album-alpha-games-3102859|url-status=live}}</ref> A second single "The Girls Are Fighting" was released on 26 January 2022 and the responding music video was released on 28 January 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Emily|last=Zemler|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bloc-party-the-girls-are-fighting-single-1291796/|title=Bloc Party Recount a Bad Night Out in 'The Girls are Fighting'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=28 January 2022|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225123524/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bloc-party-the-girls-are-fighting-single-1291796/|archive-date=25 February 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 February 2022, the third single "Sex Magik" was released.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Emily|last=Zemler|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bloc-party-sex-magik-single-1312602/|title=Bloc Party Get Nostalgic on Pulsating New Single 'Sex Magik'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=25 February 2022|access-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303125758/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bloc-party-sex-magik-single-1312602/|archive-date=3 March 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> A fourth single, "If We Get Caught", was released on 24 March 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/2022/03/24/bloc-party-share-new-track-if-we-get-caught|title=Bloc Party Share New Track 'If We Get Caught'|magazine=DIY|date=24 March 2022|access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>

In October 2022, it was announced Bloc Party would be supporting [[Paramore]] during their 2023 UK and Ireland tour,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Emma |date=2022-10-21 |title=Paramore announce 2023 UK and Ireland tour with Bloc Party |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paramore-announce-2023-uk-and-ireland-tour-with-bloc-party-3333667 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> as well as their North American tour as announced the following month.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=2022-11-04 |title=Paramore announce 2023 North American tour with Bloc Party and Foals |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/paramore-announce-2023-north-american-tour-with-bloc-party-and-foals-tickets-3343078 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> During the tour's London stop, Okereke duetted with [[Hayley Williams]] on a cover of the band's song "Blue Light".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Breihan |first1=Tom |title=Watch Paramore's Hayley Williams Cover Bloc Party's "Blue Light" With Kele Okereke In London |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2221417/watch-paramores-hayley-williams-cover-bloc-partys-blue-light-with-kele-okereke-in-london/news/ |website=Stereogum |publisher=Stereogum Media}}</ref>

On 21 June 2023, Bloc Party announced a new EP titled ''The High Life EP'', which was released a month later on 21 July.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=2023-06-22 |title=Bloc Party announce new EP, 'The High Life' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-announce-new-ep-the-high-life-3459338 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> It was preceded by the singles "High Life" and "Keep It Rolling", the latter of which featuring [[KennyHoopla]], which were released on 21 April 2023 and 2 June 2023 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunworth |first=Liberty |date=2023-04-21 |title=Listen to Bloc Party's uplifting new single 'High Life' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-bloc-partys-uplifting-new-single-high-life-3433904 |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Bloc Party release new single 'Keep It Rolling' featuring KennyHoopla |url=https://diymag.com/news/bloc-party-release-new-single-keep-it-rolling-featuring-kennyhoopla |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=DIY |language=en}}</ref> Justin Harris did not participate in the EP's recording, with bass and keyboard parts instead handled by [[Skindred]]'s Daniel Pugsley.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bloc Party – The High Life EP |url=https://genius.com/albums/Bloc-party/The-high-life-ep |website=Genius}}</ref> Later in 2023, Harris was officially replaced by [[Palace (band)|Palace]] bassist Harry Deacon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bassett |first=Jordan |date=2024-06-29 |title=Glastonbury 2024: Bloc Party bring old-school indie bangers to the Other Stage |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/glastonbury-2024-other-stage-setlist-photos-3770231 |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In June 2024, the band released a stand-alone single entitled "Flirting Again".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=Listen to Bloc Party's New Song "Flirting Again" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-bloc-party-new-song-flirting-again/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Pitchfork Media}}</ref> On 22 November 2024, Bloc Party officially released ''A Weekend In The City: B-Sides''. The demos and b sides had been available online for years previously, sometimes referred to as "Another Weekend in the City", but had never seen an official release. The same day, the band removed the album from streaming, stemming from audio quality concerns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pilley |first=Max |date=2024-11-22 |title=Bloc Party remove 'A Weekend In The City: B-Sides' from streaming: "The audio quality was well below what we expect" |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/bloc-party-remove-a-weekend-in-the-city-b-sides-from-streaming-the-audio-quality-was-well-below-what-we-expect-3815170 |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> They were re-released on 20 December 2024.<ref>https://x.com/BlocParty/status/1870119335496167872</ref>