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It’s a Sunday night in a former church turned concert venue named Tabernacle, in a state that an aged population would recall being part of the Bible Belt.
Joe Talbot, the frontman for Idles, a UK punk and self-described “angry band,” might take satisfaction in that irony, viewing church as one of many institutions that exploit without offering solutions. Talbot’s most biting observations are, appropriately, in the lyrics and largely about a societal change platform.
F*** the King! F*** the police! Pro-immigration, anti-Brexit, anti-austerity policies, anti-conservatism, rages against income gaps, elitism, etc. There’s a consistent theme of anger and frustration perfectly suited to punk rock and a raw vocal delivery. After observing that the Conservative and Labour parties joined to form a Conservative government, Talbot pointed to education, empathy and the democratic vote as the only means to affect change.
Perfectly executed, that accounts for the rapid rise of the band in popularity and the draw for larger and larger audiences. It’s no surprise that many have been waiting for a worthy band to successfully take on the punk mantle without playacting, and Idles is it.
To the degree that there’s a pulpit, there’s also a confessional, where Talbot recounts demons that have haunted him. “Any scumbags in the audience? Audibly, there were plenty. “I was arrested many times, and I’ve done many horrible things.” The human condition plays itself out within the folds of religion or wherever else one finds hope. It’s difficult.
What’s a congregation to do? Pump fists and crowd surf for certain, but on this night, fewer mosh pits than might be expected. Maybe it’s the place. It’s not the band. Jon Beavis kept the beat and bassist Adam Devonshire stayed close to anchor the band. Meanwhile, Talbot and guitarist/keyboardist Mark Bowen wandered around the stage, sometimes together, sometimes apart, one commanding the audience and the other focused on his fretboard and the groove. Guitarist Lee Kiernan roamed in circles, visibly soaked in the joy of playing his guitar loud and the music. Each would enter the crowd at some point because that’s what they do, and the audience loves it.
Idles, recorded or live, as well as legit punk music, aren’t for everyone. Strobe lighting, minimalistic staging, sudden bursts of bright light – it’s not a glamor set. It’s harsh. But if you’re into it, you want what they give, to be among like-minded people who give a f*** about things that others either don’t or don’t talk about, and let out a measure of rage.
If you’re a fan of Tangk, their 2024 release, you were out of luck at this stop.
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