I grew up in Swindon listening to Indie music and rock band Bloc Party were literally the sound of my teens. 

Although I am a contrarian and change my mind on what my favourite film or television show is often, Bloc Party have consistently been my favourite band, with their music punctuating most of my life. 

I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform live a number of times, at the Olympia Hall in London in 2009, The 02 Academy in Bristol also in 2009 and The Lloyds Amphitheatre in Bristol as part of Bristol Sounds in 2019 - all brilliant shows that I remember fondly. 

So when they announced their 20 Years of Bloc Party tour, I knew that I had to go. 

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A small number of shows were held around the country, but the main event was at London's outdoor venue Crystal Palace, with support from Connie Constance, Friendly Fires and The Hives. 

This would prove to be the band's biggest sold-out headline show, with an audience of around 25,000 congregating in the capital to celebrate their success with them, and what a show it was. 

Firstly, Crystal Palace as a music venue is a strange thing, its multi-layered architecture at first provided a confusing sight, but after getting used to things it did provide the perfect backdrop for the evening, and the weather was (just about) glorious. 

I missed Connie Constance on account of driving to a place nearby and then getting a bus into the venue, but both Friendly Fires and The Hives were brilliant warm-up acts, with the former's frenetic energy and the latter's impeccably arrogant crowd work. 

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Fitting then, that the band opened with their dreamy hit 'So Here We Are' to kick things off to rapturous applause, before really kicking things off with the energetic 'Like Eating Glass'. 

The band has undergone some changes over those twenty years and no-longer has its original line-up. Frontman Kele Okereke and guitarist Russell Lisack remain as the band's two founding members, and they were joined by drummer Louise Barton and bassist Harry Deacon. But the music was still the same. 

'Plans', 'Hunting For Witches' and 'Mercury' rounded out a fast-paced opening before the band's latest single 'Flirting Again' got one of its first live outings. 

'Price of Gasoline', 'Blue Light' and 'Song For Clay' with a fun into of Dua Lipa's 'Be The One' before it was next. 

However, the roof, if there was one, was well and truly blown off when the opening chords of the next song, one of the band's biggest hits 'Banquet', started playing. 

Another strong section was 'I Still Remember', which Okereke - who was wearing a NHS shirt - dedicated to teachers, into 'Positive Tension', into 'The Prayer' to close out the pre-encore section of the show. 

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But the band would, inevitably be back out to give the hooked crowd seven more songs including deep cuts like 'Skeleton' and 'Two More Years', as well as fan favourites like 'Ratchet', 'Flux', 'Helicopter' and my personal favourite song, 'This Modern Love'. 

As someone who grew up watching live music, Party in the Park at Lydiard, going to the Oasis Leisure Centre for big acts like Paolo Nutini and Scouting For Girls, and Twelve Bar for the smaller names it was a really poignant moment to be stood there watching a band I'd followed for twenty years not only still playing, but playing their biggest ever gig. 

Live music is something that has got me through life, it is where I am most at peace and it is one of the best ways to bring people together. As it becomes more and more expensive and inaccessible, especially locally, I hope all of you manage to support it and I hope you all get your moment with your favourite musician like I did that day.