IDLES – Manchester O2 Apollo – Friday 6th December 2024

Bristol punk rockers IDLES hit up Manchester’s O2 Apollo for the first of three shows as a part of their sold-out UK Tour.

It would be an understatement to say that IDLES have had a busy 2024. They started the year by releasing their fifth album TANGK, a record that continued to delve deeper into the soundscapes from their previous album CRAWLER. The band followed the release with an extensive tour schedule running through almost the entire year which included a triumphant headline set at Glastonbury on the iconic Other Stage. Closing the year out, IDLES embark on an eagerly anticipated UK tour, seeing them play some of their biggest headline stages to date. That brings us to tonight at the O2 Apollo in Manchester where the group are set to play the first of three sold out shows.

in support – willie j healey

Opening the evening is English singer-songwriter Willie J Healey. His feel-good indie rock is a great way to kick the night off. His set comprises of a blend of tracks spanning his three full length releases which really gives a great reflection of his sound to those who are just being introduced to him tonight. Smiles surround me as he goes from song to song, all of which have such an infectious positive energy. Closer to the set, Fashun is apersonal highlight with its earworm chorus and irresistible groove.

idles – moody yet delicate?

Following Willie J Healey’s set, it’s time for the main event. The band grace the stage to the moody yet delicate IDEA 01 which opens their latest release. The song serves as a calm before the storm, showcasing the bands growth as musicians with its beautiful arrangement.

As it comes to a close, we hear the infamous drum groove from fan favourite Colossus. The tracks opening lyrics prompt the first proper sing-along of the night with the voices of the audience bouncing around the venue almost like a choir. As someone who has seen IDLES before, I am really impressed with the way they have experimented with the arrangement of the track in the live setting. The song starts slow and brooding, however as the drums properly come in, the group seamlessly switch to the faster tempo heard on the track’s studio release. The song is breathtaking live with its masterful build which culminates into the punk explosion that sends the audience into a frenzy.

from banger to banger

Following Colossus, the band go from banger to banger absolutely smashing their way through the set. Early highlights for me include Gift Horse, Mother and the noise rock belter Car Crash. Frontman Joe Talbot is on top form tonight, having the audience in the palm of his hand not only during the songs but also in between as he offers insight on the song’s being played. I’m Scum gets possibly the best reception of the night so far with its powerful chorus of “Dirty rotten filthy scum,” as well as anti-monarchy chants and making the audience get low to then jump for its final chorus.

Roy is the next track played which is a well needed breather and nice change of pace from the relentless opening of the show. It shows Talbot’s impressive and emotive sung vocals which have only seemed to improve as the band have continued over the years. We then reach the two-song emotional gut punch of 1049 Gotho and Jungle. The two songs hit just as hard live as they did for the first time I ever heard them.

sinister groove

Talbot describes Divide And Conquer as a song written 15 years ago about the importance of the National Health Service. The songs performance is one of the most impactful of the evening with its sinister groove that builds to the song’s wild explosion towards the end. POP POP POP is a perfect display of their expansive and evolving sonic palate, sounding unlike anything else that has been played so far yet still being unmistakably IDLES.

For the final part of the show it’s back to the bangers including the joyous Crawl!, who’s chorus yet again rings around the venue. The loudest initial reception of the night has to go to the opening guitar riff of Never Fight A Man With A Perm which makes the audience erupt instantly. Looking down to the floor, the crowd moves like an unstoppable sea of people. The song includes a fantastic instrumental jam section towards the end where drummer Jon Beavis gives his most impressive performance of the night absolutely hammering away at the drums.

infectious grooves

The infectious grooves of Dancer sound brilliant live, truly taking the song to a new level which is followed by the biggest sing-along of the show, Danny Nedelko. The pro-immigration anthem absolutely crushes live with every single person around me joining in for its chorus. The band close with their set staple, Rottweiler. It’s a brilliant way to close the night with one more wild performance that builds and builds to its massive ending.

continuing to innovate

Having seen IDLES now three times, I am absolutely blown away with how they are able to up their live show each time. Their reputation as a well renowned touring act is undeniable as they are able to put on a one-of-a-kind live experience. I can only imagine where they can take it from here on their next tour but I’m sure they will continue to innovate and smash it out of the park.

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