„It’s weird – I wasn’t expecting it“
Former Bloc Party bassist Gordon Moakes has responded to the band’s original line-up winning an Ivor Novello – and discussed whether he’ll attend the ceremony.
Last week, it was announced that the group would be receiving the Outstanding Song Collection gong at the Ivors 2025, which takes place at London’s Grosvenor House next Thursday (May 22).
Moakes, who announced his departure from Bloc Party in 2015, has been honoured with the nod alongside his former bandmates Kele Okereke, Russell Lissack and ex-drummer Matt Tong.
They follow the likes of Queen, U2, New Order, Pulp, KT Tunstall and Noel Gallagher in picking up the Outstanding Song Collection prize.
When speaking to NME with his band THE NONE, Moakes was asked how he felt about winning an Ivor as part of Bloc Party following years of unrest with his ex-bandmates.
“We’re not quite sure what’s happening there. It’s weird. I wasn’t expecting it,” he replied. “When I found out I was like, ‘They’re doing what?’ I’ve seen the list of people they’ve given this award to for your back catalogue before.”
Moakes continued: “It’s a weird juxtaposition to be an Ivor Novello songwriter and then make this really ugly noise rock over here [with THE NONE]. But they’re all part of a piece for me. That’s the beauty of songwriting and making noise. It’s all fair game.”
A post shared by Bloc Party (@thisisblocparty)
NME asked the bassist if he would be attending next week’s Ivors to pick up the award. He responded: “Will I be there? I don’t know what’s happening with that yet.” THE NONE vocalist Kai Whyte then joked: “I think I’m washing my hair that day!”
Reacting to the Ivors’ news recently, Okereke said: “To be recognised for songwriting is a very special thing for an artist, and receiving an Ivor Novello award for Outstanding Song Collection is a massive honour.
“Even before you form a band, play a show or record a note, you’re writing songs – it’s at the core of being an artist,” he continued. “It’s amazing to see people connecting with Bloc Party’s music, from those who’ve loved the band from the start, to more and more young people we’re seeing at our shows over the past few years; inspiring us to push forward as a group whilst also being privileged to look back at everything we have already achieved.”
Moakes’ latest comments on Bloc Party come after he spoke out on whether the group were “rinsing” their debut album ‘Silent Alarm’. The musician is credited as a co-writer of the seminal 2005 record, and also provided backing vocals and synthesiser.
Bloc Party are scheduled to perform ‘Silent Alarm’ in its entirety when they headline Live At Leeds: In The Park next week, and will play the same set at gigs in Manchester, Bristol, Brighton and Torquay this summer. Additionally, Okereke and co. are showcasing their debut album on a 2025 North American tour.
Produced by Paul Epworth, ‘Silent Alarm’ features the singles ‘Banquet’, ‘Helicopter’, ‘So Here We Are’ and ‘Positive Tension’. The record peaked at Number Three on the UK albums chart. NME gave the LP a glowing 9/10 review, describing it as “the unpigeonholeable soundtrack to 21st-century life as a cast-off”.
Moakes and ex-drummer Tong were replaced in the band line-up by Justin Harris and Louise Bartle, respectively. Co-founding member Russell Lissack is still a part of the group alongside Okereke.
“When Matt left, I more or less knew that was me done, because I didn’t think the band was… I thought Matt was kind of like the heartbeat of the band, effectively,” Moakes told 22 Grand Pod. “And I didn’t feel like there was a version of the band without Matt that I could probably do.”
Speaking to NME in 2023, Okereke explained: “I’m completely thankful that [‘Silent Alarm’] connected with people; but it’s at that point when I hear any record that we’ve made, I hear the things I’d do differently if I had the opportunity to do it again.”
The frontman had previously told NME that Bloc Party were “not the same band” anymore: “There might be aspects of this sound that are familiar, but the band chemistry is different, and to be honest we’re more excited about that, because seeing what Justin and Louise can do as musicians – seeing it every day when we were in the recording studio and writing these songs – I was just blown away all the time by what they were capable of.”
He added: “Obviously we have a history and a legacy but I’m more excited about the energy that the band has right now, because it’s not something we could have done in the past.
“With no disrespect to our previous members, I feel that the musicianship is in a place that it never was before. I’m excited that we’ve only really scratched the surface of what we’re capable of.”
Speaking to 22 Grand Pod last year, Tong claimed that “Kele was an insurmountable obstacle” in Bloc Party. He responded to the frontman’s past claim that Moakes and Tong’s exits were “about someone doing cocaine and someone not being into it”, as well as some “deep-seated issues”.
When presented with this quote while on the podcast, Tong said it was “frustrating”, adding: “It had nothing to do with me and Gordon.”
The world’s defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking what’s new and what’s next since 1952.
When you purchase through affiliate links on NME.com, you may contribute to our site through commissions. Learn more
© 2025 NME is part of NME Networks.