Idles

You wait around for a feral, untethered, vital, challenging and dynamic record to shock your senses and then two come along in the space of eighteen months, and both are by the same band. Idles released their debut album 'Brutalism' and drew a very positive reaction from those who appreciated its raw energy, its confrontational attitude and its unflinching observational dialogue. 

After forming in 2012 in Bristol and releasing and handful of singles and E.P.s, last year's full album release marked a coming-of-age for a band who have admitted to not having a clue what they were doing to begin with. To hear their latest release and to see them perform live you'd have no doubt that the band have every clue what they are doing now, just how driven they are and just how totally authentic and engaging they are. 

Idles latest album is inspired by many things but largely it takes its foundations from feelings of vulnerability, compassion, community, love and also about being honest with yourself. With his latest record lead singer Joe Talbot has learned to come to terms with his flaws, he says, "I am completely flawed, but so are you, and that's Ok. We are not alone". It is this philosophy and the people around him that have helped Joe through the most devastating family tragedy and it is through his band that he has been able to so eloquently express that.

Continue reading: Idles - Joy As An Act Of Resistance Album Review

Touted as an alternative to much that is wrong with the world, the antithesis of reality TV generated celebrity and the turgid, monotonous, boring and fake, Idles want to 'work hard' and give you an honest, no holds barred, heart on your sleeve, 'visceral' performance to make you sit up and listen. A cure for social media driven absurdity, an antivenom against mediocrity, a vaccine of truth and passion. Idles carry the spirit of Punk like flag barers for an alternative musical Olympics where enhanced performance through technical wizardry is definitely not to be tolerated. There's to be no lip synching or backing track sorcery just a true and honest, impassioned delivery.

With their Unity Tour selling out fast, and this gig selling out almost immediately, the band are a 'hot ticket' and this was certainly a very hot (ceiling dripping hot) night once the band had started up. Ramsgate Music Hall has been lucky, or savvy, enough to host some great acts in its modest venue and Idles were definitely a coup as it's very unlikely you'll catch them again in such intimate surroundings.

Once we'd been treated to a dose of Lice (support in the form of a foursome, consisting of a couple of hillbillies, one in full dungarees, a singer trying his best to look the part and a guitarist who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else) the night was set for the full tilt intensity of a band re-writing the Punk handbook. Idles were quite literally stupefying from the get-go. Their collective energy, electricity and snarly, feral, barely tempered menace was a thing of disturbing joy to behold.

Continue reading: Idles - Ramsgate Music Hall 12.04.2018 Live Review