Review – IDLES , Marble Factory, Bristol, February 17th 2024

IDLES - Marble Factory, Bristol - 17th February 2024

Hometown post-punk heroes IDLES returned to Bristol to play a sold-out “out-store” show at Marble Factory for Rough Trade to celebrate the release of their 5th album “TANGK, released just a day before the show.

This was technically billed as an “intimate” show for a band that are now topping the bills of festivals and capable of selling out venues like Alexandra Palace and Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena. However, there was nothing cut back for this show, a blistering hour-and-a-half set that saw the band give it their all weaving through their entire back catalogue.

The primary focus was, obviously, on “TANGK” with 9 tracks played tonight – a lot of people will be hearing these for the first time as the show was sold as a bundle with an album pre-order, queues of people were picking up their copy in the torrential rain upon entering the venue. Those of us who had heard the album were already aware that the album sees the band veer into a slightly more left-field approach, focusing on more layered and “softer” songs than their previous efforts, a glimpse we were given on the excellent “Crawler”.

However, none of these songs seemed out of place in the set opening with “TANGK”’s first track IDEA 01 working beautifully here to amp up the early crowd, presenting a more subdued opening than someone expect with guitarist Mark Bowen flexing his musical abilities on keys before the band erupt into “Gift Horse”. The band have stated that they wanted to make people dance with the new album and this track is a perfect example of this, with a more dance-orientated beat. The band still retain their punk attitude here, commenting on anti-monarchy and erupting with chants of “Fuck the king”.

Of course the old favourites still remain and cause the crowd to erupt in beer flinging and moshes throughout, early on we’re treated to fan favourites “Mr Motivator” and the only track from their debut “Brutalism”, “Mother”, is busted out surprisingly early. It proves the perfect segway into another new one “POP POP POP”. Having a more varied sound allows the setlist to have more ebbs and flows, controlling the atmosphere rather than just sticking to a static tempo.

As a live outfit, IDLES never disappoint – we’re treated to lead vocalist Joe Talbot bouncing across the stage, snarling with vitriol on somer of their more brash earlier material like “I’m Scum” and “Never Fight a Man with a Perm”. Guitarists Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan throw themselves around the stage, with the latter making being a photographer particularly difficult tonight!

The band have been criticised recently for their lack of comment on the situation in Palestine considering how they have typically been vocal about the state of homegrown politics but they certainly make up for that tonight, changing the lyrics to “Can I get a hallelujah? Viva Palestina” calling for a ceasefire and changing “Long Live Palestine”.

Over half the crowd are sporting IDLES merch and the show feels like a jubilant celebration, which feels right considering it’s a show on their hometurf. There’s a shout out to another local hero – Willie J Healy who Joe tells us he “lights up my life” before dedicating one of the more rowdy newer tracks “Hall & Oates” to him.

By the time we get to the double-whammy closer of “Danny Nedelko” and “Rottweiler” the whole crowd has cathartically erupted, voices hoarse from singing at the top of their lungs and bodies bruised from the copious amounts of moshpits. The show proves that the band are at the top of their game, willing to change up their sound and explore new ways but remaining their authenticity, passion and spirit and – most of all – know how to play life-affirming shows.