Bloc Party's Kele Okereke to play YES Manchester this February

The Bloc Party frontman is heading out on tour in 2020 to support his latest solo record, 2042

Last updated: 8th Nov 2019

Originally published: 7th Nov 2019

A legend of the noughties UK indie rock scene, Bloc Party's Kele Okereke is heading out on tour early next year to support his latest solo record, 2042, including a date at Manchester's most revered new independent live music venue, YES, on Saturday 8th February.

Critically lauded for his work with the electronic-influenced, guitar-driven rock band, including a Mercury Prize nomination for their 2005 debut album, Silent Alarm, Kele has been working hard on his own self-titled, solo project for almost a decade.

2017 saw the first full length release, Fatherland, followed by this year's Leave to Remain, a soundtrack album to accompany a musical show by the same name, written by Okereke and Doctor Who writer Matt Jones. His fourth solo album is due for release on November 8th via Kele’s own label KOLA.

The Londoner has changed the course of his musical and lyrical direction many times though out his career, evolving from electronic-indie rock through disco to a more folksy sound. This time Okereke is toying with Afro and Brazilian influences, taking aim at the state of current political affairs and racial tensions within the UK.

The first single taken from the new record is 'JUNGLE BUNNY', with Okereke exploring the themes of discord, racism and his own responsibilities as a black performer in the music industry.

Tickets for Kele Okereke's show at YES Manchester on Sat 8 Feb can be found below

Image credit: Asia Werbel/Kele Okereke