Idles coming home to Bristol for two Queen Square gigs
Posted on: 05 Nov 2024IDLES will headline Bristol’s Queen Square for two homecoming summer outdoor shows on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August 2025!
These performances will be the band’s only UK shows of 2025, and the first large scale music event to take place at Queen Square in over 2 decades. Special guests to be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale from 10am on Friday 8 November 2024.
GET TICKETS HERE
IDLES: The Defiant Voice of Modern Punk Rock
IDLES, a British rock band that emerged from Bristol, has built a reputation for their raw, unapologetic approach to punk and post-punk music. Formed in 2009 by frontman Joe Talbot and guitarist Mark Bowen, IDLES started with modest EPs before gaining critical acclaim with their 2017 debut album, Brutalism. This album marked a turning point, capturing raw emotion and societal frustration through relentless beats, sharp riffs, and Talbot’s often shouted, sardonic lyrics. Critics and fans alike resonated with its aggressive yet honest portrayal of personal and political struggle, making Brutalism a powerful anthem of resistance in a disillusioned world?.
The Breakthrough and Identity of IDLES
IDLES' rise to fame wasn’t immediate but gradual, building an audience through intense live performances and albums that were deeply personal. With Joy as an Act of Resistance (2018), the band refined their message, juxtaposing themes of masculinity, vulnerability, and self-acceptance. In this album, Talbot’s lyrics explored themes of grief, rage, and social injustice, inviting listeners to confront these emotions together rather than in isolation. This balance of fury and empathy struck a chord, and their confrontational yet humanist lyrics drew widespread praise, earning them a Mercury Prize nomination and solidifying their role as a voice of modern punk rock?.
Their intense music is only part of IDLES’ identity. The band’s public image has been defined by their outspoken views on social issues and their rejection of traditional masculinity. Talbot and Bowen have criticized toxic masculinity, nationalism, and economic inequality, yet they resist being labeled solely as a “political band.” Bowen argues that reducing their music to mere political rhetoric oversimplifies their work, which focuses on universal struggles. They instead emphasize a humanist perspective, inviting listeners into a conversation rather than pushing a single viewpoint.?
Evolution and Experimentation
IDLES continued to evolve with Ultra Mono (2020) and CRAWLER (2021). Ultra Mono, with tracks like "Mr. Motivator" and "Grounds," leaned into a louder, more deliberate sound, with the band embracing their punk identity in a time of political and social upheaval. However, CRAWLER saw a tonal shift. Influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and its isolation, IDLES explored a softer, introspective side, moving away from the outright anger that characterized their earlier work. This album featured more spoken lyrics, allowing Talbot to explore sobriety and grief through a contemplative, somber lens?.
Their latest album, TANGK (2024), marks an even further departure, inspired by the softer emotions that fatherhood and self-reflection have brought to Talbot and Bowen. Fatherhood and a desire to “do the dad thing really well,” as Bowen puts it, softened their sound, moving from outright aggression to a more nuanced form of passion. Talbot’s lyrics focus on love and gratitude, trading some of the raw fury for introspection. However, the band remains steadfast in their criticism of the British government and societal issues, albeit with a focus that has shifted from anger to a reflective urgency?.
IDLES and Their Role in Modern Music
Despite their shift in tone, IDLES remains a powerful presence in the music world. Their live performances continue to be a cathartic release for fans, as they confront personal and social issues head-on. Talbot’s stage presence, marked by his physical intensity and engagement with the audience, has become central to the band’s identity. Even as they face criticism for not engaging enough in online activism, IDLES emphasize the importance of their music over social media presence, choosing to express their beliefs through their art rather than digital statements?.
IDLES’ journey reflects a maturation of punk rock itself—a genre once associated strictly with rebellion and anarchy, now embracing vulnerability, self-awareness, and empathy as acts of resistance. As they continue to redefine what it means to be punk, IDLES stands as a testament to the power of music to confront both personal demons and collective issues. Their impact on the music scene is undeniable, as they encourage audiences not only to resist but to love fiercely, find strength in vulnerability, and ultimately, to find joy in the act of resistance.
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Bristol born and bred despite the name, Brendan has been working in the digital media sector for the last 15 years and advertising for the last 25 years. A wealth of knowledge about the city and more importantly at how to help businesses get as much online exposure as possible. Call Brendan on 07876 735153 or email Brendan@365bristol.com.
