Original Bloc Party drummer and bassist attend Ivors for huge award and reunite for collaboration

The original Bloc Party bassist Gordon Moakes and drummer Matt Tong reunited at last night’s Ivor Novello awards (May 22).

• READ MORE: THE NONE talk tackling “growing up skint” on new single ‘At Hope’ and life after Bloc Party

Moakes, who announced his departure from Bloc Party in 2015, and Tong, who left in 2013, were honoured with the Outstanding Song Collection gong at the Ivors 2025, alongside former bandmates Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack.

They follow the likes of Queen, U2, New Order, Pulp, KT Tunstall and Noel Gallagher in picking up the Outstanding Song Collection prize.

Reflecting on the award, Moakes took to Instagram to share some memories of their time together in the band, writing: “When Matt would drop me off at Ealing Broadway station in his little Toyota Starlet after band practice back in 2003, little did we know the journey we’d find ourselves on over the next couple of decades; or that we’d stay linked, brothers-in-arms, through the ups and downs of life—both in and out of music.”

He went on to say: “To be recognised by the @ivorsacademy for our efforts is a slightly surreal but wonderfully affirming moment and I couldn’t think of a better person to share the accolade with than Matt. We’ve always had each other’s backs, and it’s a great privilege to look on this little statue and know that Matt and I are both now in quite a small club of people who’ve been awarded this (surprisingly heavy) little statue.”

Moakes went on to add that the duo are currently in the studio together recording new music, writing: “Watch this space for upcoming news on this particular collaboration.”

Moakes and ex-drummer Tong were replaced in the band line-up by Justin Harris and Louise Bartle, respectively. Okereke and Lissack were not mentioned in the post, and the old and new line-up were not photographed together at the event.

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A post shared by Gordy Moakes (@gordionnaire)

Speaking to NME last night, Okereke reflected on the band’s survival for so many years, telling us: “In the beginning, it was a very intense kind of pressurised thing where we’d make a record, tour, make a record, tour. Now we all have families, we all have other things that we’re doing, so when we get together it’s really because we want to get together and because there’s something exciting to do, whereas I think in the beginning we just worked so much that it didn’t really stop.

“Whilst I’m thankful that we did that because it laid the groundwork, now, being able to have time with our families and do other things, other projects, and then bring it back to Bloc Party, I think that’s something that is really invaluable,” he added.

When speaking to NME with his band THE NONE in a new interview, 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.”

Reacting to the Ivors’ announcement, 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. 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 recently reflected on Tong’s departure from the band, saying: “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.” He continued: “And I didn’t feel like there was a version of the band without Matt that I could probably do.”

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A post shared by The Ivors Academy (@ivorsacademy)

Speaking to 22 Grand Pod last year, Tong also 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”.

Moakes’ aforementioned comments on Bloc Party came after he spoke out on whether he thought 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.

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A post shared by Bloc Party (@thisisblocparty)

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.”

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