A strong beat and strobe lights. Those were the constants of last night’s sold-out performance from IDLES at The National. Whether it was Joe Talbot directing the crowd into two sides, or the band dancing on stage to the percussion, the strong beat and strobe lights kept going on stage for over an hour in Richmond, VA.
From that opening beat, there was a quick energy that lasted through the night. Only two songs in and there were crowd surfers and a guitarist playing on the barricade. A long setlist and even more sweat were given out at the venue. This was my first time seeing IDLES and the most noticeable feature was how good the band sounded live. This is a group that can match their clarity and performance from the studio to a live audience without needing any assistance.
Along with that clear sound, it also sounded raw. This was a concert from talented individuals who felt the music and were able to provide the experience without a heavy backtrack. It proves that punk (or whatever classification you want to give to a band like IDLES) can still exist in a time where AI-assisted music and laptop-created backtracks are taking over stages. If anything, IDLES proved last night why a raw performance stands out better than something artificial.
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From Google Bard: “IDLES are a British rock band formed in Bristol in 2009. The band consists of Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), Adam Devonshire (bass) and Jon Beavis (drums). They have released four albums: Brutalism (2017), Joy as an Act of Resistance (2018), Ultra Mono (2020), and Crawler (2021).
IDLES are known for their energetic live performances, their politically charged lyrics, and their blend of post-punk, hardcore, and electronica. They have been praised by critics for their originality, their raw energy, and their ability to connect with audiences on a personal level.”
