Kele Announces One-Off New Zealand Show

Lead singer of British outfit Bloc Party, Kele Okereke is heading to New Zealand off the back of his new album Trick. The sophomore solo album from Okereke was released late last year and is steeped in a smooth blend of dance-orientated beats paired with his soulful voice and introspective lyrics, a far cry from the guitar driven work he creates with Bloc Party. Kele's visit to these shores come as a part of a seven-date tour downunder that will see him stopping off in Auckland for one show only. Here are the details...

UnderTheRadar Presents...

Kele
Saturday 21st March, Kings Arms Tavern, Auckland

Tickets available HERE at UTR from Friday 13th February...

Here is the video from 'Closer' taken from Trick....

PRESS RELEASE:

Robin Fernando, 95bFM and Under The Radar present Bloc Party’s Kele live in New Zealand

Bloc Party is one of the biggest bands in the world, but what many don't know is that the London four-piece have always had an undertow of dance music. It's no surprise then that Kele Okereke has taken to making music for the dance floor proving that this is in no way a fad, but a true fascination. With releases on eminent labels including Damian Lazarus's label Crosstown Rebels and Berlin Studio's !K7, the producer, songwriter and performer continues to push the boundaries as a DJ and dance producer. Undeniably one of the biggest music icons of our time, Kele intrigues fans and keeps the media on its toes with his refreshing honesty and quick tongue. A lover of drum n bass, techno, garage and house music, the Londoner's love of dance music has always been there and it is now that we get to hear him create it. 

Kele Okereke is a DJ/Producer and lead singer of award-winning band Bloc Party, one of the UKs finest bands of recent years. At the end of 2013 Kele embarked on a new phase of his career, taking all his influences and experiences to shake up peoples' expectations of him as a songwriter, performer and producer. Releasing on pivotal UK dance label Crosstown Rebels and Berlin’s Studio !K7 - home to DJ Kicks and Tapes mix series- and DJ appearances across the world, there is a clearly more to be seen from this highly talented individual.

"Most people know me as the singer in a bloc party, but anyone that knows our music knows that we have always been very honest about our love of dance music." 

In late 2013 Kele Okereke made his move, by selecting and mixing the latest instalment of !K7 Tapes series, seeing Bloc Party join previous artists The Rapture, The Big Pink and Foals. Both the mix and Kele’s own Remix of ‘Obscene,’ the exclusive track from the album, were critically lauded by international press and radio. With Dj dates across Europe and Australia Okereke’s introduction to the DJ world was solidified. Crosstown was hot on the heels and introduced Kele Okereke as a Producer with the 4 track ‘Heartbreaker’ EP only months after. The EP featured 4 original tracks and one remix from of the title track from Recondite. With distinct UK Garage influences on ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘God Has A Way’ featuring old school house chord stabs and driving rhythm and ‘Get Up’ being a a sparser, deeper atmosphere with Kele himself on vocals the EP showed dynamic and confidence.

April 2014 saw the release of ‘Candy Flip’ Kele Okereke’s 2nd EP on Crosstown and proving that he’s a dancer at heart and a truly versatile beat maker. The title track this time featuring Kele’s vocals built around an infectious groove with ‘The New Feel’ and it’s dark bass, bouncing groove, haunting chords, and filtered vox providing an anthemic feel. Belgium hotties FCL provide remix duties for ‘Candy Flip’ turning in a classic and uplifting dimension with EP closer ‘Come To Me’ a humble master class in raw, bass heavy grooves with a modern touch and fresh vocals from Jenny Bastet.

From Bloc Party’s Platinum-selling debut album to Okereke’s guest vocals for The Chemical Brothers, Hercules and the Love Affair, and Sub Focus and having spent ten years making records in studios working with some of the greatest producers in the world, Kele Okereke’s confident his direction comes from the heart.

"It's been an inspiration from our first record 'silent alarm' 2005 through to my solo record 'the boxer' 2010. I have always loved the inclusive and spiritual nature of house music so the opportunity to make music for the most iconic and influential house music label in the UK is a dream come true for me.’

Kele’s keen to stress that embracing dance music after years of playing in a bands was an organic growth as a performer, which he views as "an art form. It’s been quite eye-opening, seeing how you can manipulate a crowd by tweaking a mixer. It’s exciting seeing how the similarities of seemingly disparate worlds come together.”

Robin Fernando, 95bFM and Under The Radar present Kele (Live)
Saturday 21st March 2015
Kings Arms

Tickets on sale via Dash Tickets and Under The Radar from this Friday