Bristol’s finest post-punk polemics IDLES have been promising to do great things for some time now, and with their debut album “Brutalism” they absolutely fulfil that promise, and a furious promise at that, says their latest press release.
Politically charged, refreshingly confrontational and infectiously volatile, IDLES are a band like no other. Bringing the unsettling reality of the world we live in into their frantic assault on the senses, they are a band that until now could only be truly understood by witnessing in a live environment – but with “Brutalism” it surely feels like they have captured the intensity of that live sound. Bottled up here are the abrasive, memorable lyrics of Joseph Talbot delivered with all of the spite and wry humour he puts across on the stage.

Dedicated in part to the loss of his mother, who adorns the record’s cover, and partly to a perceived decimation of society, from the NHS to public services across Britain, “Brutalism” is a deadly serious indictment on popular culture – Mary Berry, Trevor Nelson and Rachel Khoo are just some of the names referenced here, often alongside the unpleasant, but always amongst the real.

The November release of single “Well Done” saw the band rise to no.1 on Spotify’s Viral Charts & paired with intensive radio support from Huw Stephens, Annie Mac, Steve Lamacq and regular Radio 6 play has brought them to the forefront of ones to watch. NME, CRACK, DIY and more have tipped them over the festive period and the quality here suggests there will be more plaudits to come when the album reaches the shops in March.

From the propulsive opener, “Heel / Heal”, and many highlights (“Well Done”, “Mother”, “Date Night”, “1049 Gotho”, “Stendahl Syndrome” just some) to the rare respite of the closer “Slow Savage”, the album marks the arrival of a true British talent – and in a musical world that can seem increasingly benign, one with so much to say.
Full tour dates below:
January 2017
Saturday 28^th – London – Omeara

March 2017

Monday 6th – Cambridge – Portland Arms
Wednesday 8th – Bristol – The Fleece
Thursday 9th – Colchester – Arts Centre
Friday 10th – London – Moth Club
Sunday 12th – Southampton – The Notes Café
Tuesday 14th – Birmingham – The Hare And Hounds
Wednesday 15th – Guildford – Boileroom
Thursday 16th – Brighton – The Prince Albert
Friday 17th – Tunbridge Wells – Forum
Saturday 18th – Bedford – Esquires
Monday 20th – Oxford – The Bullingdon
Tuesday 21st – Sheffield – The Plug
Wednesday 22nd – Newcastle Upon Tyne – Think Tank
Thursday 23rd – Aberdeen – Tunnels
Friday 24th – Dundee – Buskers
Saturday 25th – Edinburgh – Sneaky Pete’s
Monday 27th – York – The Crescent
Tuesday 28th – Hull – The Adelphi
Wednesday 29th – Nottingham – The Bodega
Thursday 30th – Liverpool – O2 Academy 2
Friday 31st – Wakefield – Unity Hall

April 2017

Monday 3rd – Stoke-On-Trent – The Sugarmill
Tuesday 4th – Preston – Guildhall
Wednesday 5th – Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach