Kele Okereke - Live Review

Kele Okereke at the O2 Academy Oxford: A Night of Intimacy and Innovation

On February 21, 2025, Kele Okereke stepped onto the stage at the O2 Academy Oxford for a solo performance as part of The Singing Winds Pt. 3 Tour. It was a stripped-back affair - just Kele, a few loop pedals, and a room full of eager fans. For an artist who’s spent decades fronting Bloc Party, this show felt like a quiet rebellion against the noise, a chance to explore the raw edges of his artistry.

There’s something uniquely vulnerable about solo performances. Without a band to lean on, every note, every lyric, every pause feels magnified. Kele embraced this vulnerability, opening the night with It Wasn’t Meant to Be, a haunting track that set the tone for the evening. The crowd was silent, hanging on every word, as Kele layered delicate loops to build a soundscape that felt both intimate and expansive.

The setlist was a carefully curated mix of tracks from Kele’s solo albums, each one showcasing a different facet of his artistry. Songs like Never Have I Ever and Lie Detector leaned into his knack for storytelling, while Breathless and Closer highlighted his ability to craft melodies that linger long after the final note.

Kintsugi was a standout moment, with its delicate lyrics and intricate loops creating a sense of quiet catharsis. And then there was Hometown Edge, a track that felt like a love letter to the places that shape us, the memories we carry. It was the kind of song that makes you nostalgic for moments you’ve never lived.

Of course, it’s impossible to talk about Kele without mentioning Bloc Party. This summer, he’ll be heading up the band’s 20th anniversary tour for Silent Alarm, an album that defined a generation of indie rock fans. But tonight wasn’t about Bloc Party - it was about Kele.

That said, there were moments when the shadow of Bloc Party crept in. Tracks like Everything You Wanted carried echoes of the band’s signature sound, while Rise, the final song of the encore, felt like a quiet nod to the anthemic energy that made Bloc Party a household name.

Let’s talk about the loop pedals for a second. They weren’t just tools - they were instruments in their own right. Kele used them to layer harmonies, build rhythms, and create textures that felt almost orchestral. Watching him work was mesmerizing, like seeing an artist paint in real time.

At one point during Intention, he built a loop so intricate that it felt like the room was holding its breath. And then, with a single strum of his guitar, he shattered the tension, letting the music spill out like a flood. It was moments like these that reminded you why Kele is such a compelling performer - he knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The encore was something special. Kele returned to the stage with Yemaya, a track that felt almost spiritual in its delivery. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the loop pedals and Kele’s voice, which seemed to float above the crowd.

Cradle You followed, a tender song that felt like a lullaby for the soul. And then came Rise, a triumphant closer that left the audience buzzing. It was the perfect way to end the night—a reminder that even in the quietest moments, Kele’s music has the power to uplift.

Kele Okereke’s show at the O2 Academy Oxford wasn’t just a concert - it was an experience. It was intimate, innovative, and deeply personal, a chance to see an artist stripped down to his essence.