10,500. That’s the amount of fans that would be treated to an incredible show from legendary band IDLES in Manchester this weekend. In a feat that I have never seen in my lifetime the British-Irish rock band managed to sell out three dates at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse weekend, making it a special weekend for all involved. The band consists of members Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), Adam Devonshire (bass) and Jon Beavis (drums). Their debut album ‘Brutalism’ was released in 2017 to critical acclaim and the group released their most recent album ‘Crawler’ in November 2021. We were lucky enough to attend the first night of the trio of shows with support coming from Big Joanie and Jehnny Beth.
If you had to say just one thing about IDLES when they take to the stage then it has to be, electric. The band brought unprecedented energy to Manchester with an incredible setlist of their long spanning discography and phenomenal stage production from the production team. From the very moment that the boys took to the stage the crowd were eating out of the palm of their hands and the intense mosh pits began and lasted long through the night. During the second song, frontrunner Joe Talbot constructed one of the biggest pits I have ever seen as he parted the entire sold-out crowd down the middle to create one of the most incredible mosh pits I have ever seen, it was complete carnage. The band would go on to play fan favourites such as “Never fight a man with a perm”, “Danny Nedleko” and “I’m Scum”, to name just a few. IDLES are a band that you just have to see live to appreciate the talent and dedication that these lads put into their music; you’re simply guaranteed to witness a show that will stick with you forever.
IDLES
Review + Photos by Lewis Roberts | Exclusively for @Music,Why Not!