The London Olympia is a peculiar venue. Like Earls Court without the surrounding seats, it feels like a deserted warehouse or disused aircraft hanger.

At one end a bar, at the other a stage. Nothing in between. ‘What’s so unusual about that?’ you might well wonder, and you’d be right, because in truth this venue’s not that different to a lot of London’s other grand halls.

But there’s something slightly off-key about the Olympia. A certain feeling of emptiness. It seems, somehow, a bit post-apocalyptic. In short, it makes Wembley Arena look atmospheric – and that’s saying something.

It could be the fault of the band though. Bloc Party are one of those acts that never seemed to quite follow through on the success of their first album. They promised so much, but never quite delivered.

Tonight though, I don’t think we can blame them. Despite the fact the biggest reception comes for anthems like ‘Banquet’ and ‘This Modern Love’ (both off the first record), the band do seem in punchy form.

Front man Kele Okereke, illuminated by giant TV screens either side of the stage, is in determined mood and the Bloc Party sound – all synths, pounding drums and jagged guitars – is taking no prisoners.

Recent hit ‘Mercury’, with its repetitive, distorted vocals and onslaught of electronic aggression, perhaps sums up the night. There’s something missing. Something that’s not quite there. This is a band that doesn’t quite deliver, in a setting where – more than anywhere – you really need to.

Michael Wylie-Harris