The last time I saw Idles in Portsmouth was upstairs in a local pub (the Wave Maiden) on a Tuesday afternoon. As a small function room, there was barely enough space to hold much more than maybe 50 people. Within the following week or so, Idles appeared on Jools Holland, resulting in their popularity seeming to explode overnight.
As a result, what would have been an equivalent gig a few years later has taken a much grander venue to accommodate. Officially another (long-awaited) outdoor performance from Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl, featured Idles on stage at Portsmouth Guildhall in support of their 3rd album “Ultra Mono”.
Almost a year after its release date, the hotly anticipated concert had been postponed for the obvious reasons coinciding with most of the past year and a half. However, the delay meant this wasn’t having to take place under social distancing measures, but shoulder to shoulder alongside music-loving friends.
Review: IDLES – Portsmouth Guildhall, 2021
There’s no denying Idles have a beloved following, but the group themselves ooze a sense a of togetherness. Led by the passionate Joe Talbot, Idles touch on subjects such as politics during “Mother” (the best way to scare a Tory is to read and get rich) and “Anxiety” (our government hates the poor), while also having a knack of penning several incredibly catchy tunes.
The thing is, Idles do love a repetitive chorus, with hooks that pull you in regardless. Yet lyrically they’re also very much on point. Clever wordplay and songs the likes of you and I can relate, while the powers that be sit undeterred by the stark reality of running the country to its barebones.
It’s also a pleasure to hear that Idles are still going strong with the same winning formula. Whereby “Ultra Mono” continues on from where “Brutalism” and “Joy as an Act of Resistance” left off. It can sometimes be a rare thing for a band to produce 3 consistently good albums, without really changing direction along the way.
He’s Made of Bones, He’s Made of Blood
By the point fan-favourite and pro-immigration “Danny Nedelko” came along, the show was running on pure energy. Even with Talbot’s vocals getting hoarser by the minute, the enthusiasm among the crowd could be felt dripping from the walls.
So much so, Idles could have got away with almost anything. In particular when it came to guitarists Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan diving into the crowd, with Bowen taking the mic for some sort of hellish yet rather amusing karaoke mixtape.
Alas, those fun-filled moments were worth every minute, even just to see so many happy faces coming together in the same room. Which in itself, sums up the true spirit of seeing Idles at Portsmouth Guildhall. As it wasn’t only an incredible performance, but a night of unity spent with wonderful and like-minded individuals.
IDLES – “Ultra Mono” out now and available to order online here at our favourite independent record store: Southsea’s Pie & Vinyl Record Cafe.
