Live Review: Outstanding Idles play mammoth two-hour set at Birmingham’s O2 Academy

That’s before even mentioning by this time guitarist Lee Kiernan had also climbed into the crowd, held aloft by fans while continuing to play lying on his back.

Idles are already more than a dozen dates into their UK tour in support of their latest album Tangk which was released in February.

There’s a good chance you’ll have already seen the praise which has been heaped upon the Bristol natives.

Is it justified? Any Idles fan will tell you it’s not hyperbole and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone inside the O2 Academy last night who wouldn’t go as far as saying Idles are probably one of the best rock bands in the UK at this time. On the evidence of last night, it’d be hard to disagree.

The development of Idles’ sound has been an interesting one. From the post-punk range of their 2017 debut Brutalism through to the more experimental ambient aspects of 2021’s Crawler and then Tangk, there’s been both silliness and seriousness along the way.

Opening for the band in Birmingham was Willie J Healey, who did a fantastic job warming up the Academy crowd with tracks from his three albums.

A little bit of everything was on offer at the O2 during Idles’ mammoth 24-song set which saw them play for more than two hours with the band dipping into every album in their back catalogue.

While the majority of the night felt like it was conducted with 100% intensity at 100mph, Idles’ set actually got off to a deliberate slow burn, with Tangk opener IDEA 01 ushering the band onto stage in gloomy darkness with it’s slow piano lines set to Talbot’s singing.

That gave way to Colossus from the bands 2018 album Joy As An Act Of Resistance – again a slow menacing track – which eventually saw Talbot, Kiernan and fellow members guitarist Mark Bowen, bassist Adam Devonshire and drummer Jon Beavis explode into life.

Mother was among one of the early highlights of Idles set, whipping the crowd up and singing its expletive chorus back to the band.

Car Crash by comparison was Idles at their latter career best – with guitarists Kiernan and Bowen thrashing away on stage mixing discordant guitars, then ushering in a moment of calm before exploding into life again.

During Idles’ set, frontman Talbot frequently paused to talk to the Academy crowd.

He described Birmingham as “one of the most beautiful places on earth – and not just because of the architecture – it’s because of you,” – going on to add it was always a pleasure to be back in the “wonderful city”.

Fans were treated to an extended version of Scum – a track described by Talbot as being about insecurities and “a celebration of the fact that nothing matters,” adding, “It’s you who decides who you are.”

Mid way through the song, he invited fans to join him singing a “new national anthem” – again leading fans on a three word expletive rant against the king.

When The Lights Come On, arriving around the midpoint of the band’s set, was another highlight of the night showing there’s a darker, menacing, post-punk side to Idles.

The 30-second long Wizz was dedicated to West Midland natives Napalm Death while Love Song saw guitarist Bowen head into the crowd and held aloft while he and Talbot belted out a handful of lyrics to Nothing Compares To You, My Heart Will Go On, Red Red Wine, War Pigs, Rio, Someone Like You and All I Want For Christmas Is You.

POP POP POP again showcased Idles at their modern best – channelling ‘Kid-A inspired’ electronics while the strobes flickered away on stage with Talbot leaning out through blue and white lights towards the crowd.

Talbot explained he’d never watched a game of football in his life and urged those inside the Academy to “calm down”, after the phrase “Birmingham City” was met with a mixture of cheers and jeers.

By now Idles were firmly into the ‘business end’ of their set and rattled through hits including Never Fight A Man With A Perm and Danny Nedelko – both which sent the crowd into a moshing frenzy.

It was left to Bowen to do band introductions ahead of the ferocious punk-rock finale of Rottweiler.

Sadly, a chunk of the Academy were already exiting the building with the clock having long since ticked past 11pm. (While two hour sets represent excellent value for money – those using public transport on a weekday may have a different view).

In his introductions, Bowen described Idles frontman as “the voice of a generation” and to many of those inside, he is.

Five albums in, Idles are showing no signs of slowing down. Live, they’re impossible to take your eyes off and are armed with a set packed with some of the best modern post-punk rock you’ll find.

Idles play a second headline gig at the O2 Academy in Birmingham tonight.

Idles played:

IDEA 01

Colossus

Gift Horse

Mr. Motivator

Mother

Car Crash

I'm Scum

Roy

The Wheel

Jungle

When the Lights Come On

War

Wizz

Divide and Conquer

Gratitude

Love Song

POP POP POP

Crawl!

The Beachland Ballroom

Never Fight a Man With a Perm

Well Done

Dancer

Danny Nedelko

Rottweiler