IDLES BRING JOY, RAGE AND UNITY TO THE SOLD OUT WARFIELD
San Francisco was treated to an explosion of raw energy by a group of the greatest performers of the past decade.
Idles, consisting of frontman Joe Talbot, along with bandmates Adam Devonshire, Mark Bowen, Lee Kiernen and Jon Beavis, are currently on tour in support of their latest album “TANGK”. Kicking off the night with “IDEA 01,” the first song off TANGK, the piano driven song swirled idley and repeated its notes, a slower song than what the british post-punk band has released in the past, and made for the perfect introduction into the night before going all out, seamlessly transitioning into a fan favorite “Colossus”.
From there, all bets were off in the crowd, as a mosh pit started to form in the center with attendees letting out everything and anything that they have been building up inside. Holding fans on the edge before the drop that takes place in the middle of “Colossus”, Talbot stoped, telling the crowd to split into two. As the drop came, the “wall of death” formed back into one, as hundreds of fans ran towards each other, resuming their carefree moshing.
At one point during the song, guitarist Lee Kiernan joined in on the fun, leaving the stage,crowd surfing with his guitar in hand. Don’t get it twisted though – as scary as it may sound, mosh pits are one of the safest places to be. Fans fell, but were immediately picked back up by fellow moshers, giving space for them to make sure their bearings were straight,. “We’re not fighting, We’re just dancing” read on the shirts of many, a saying well known to Idles fans.
The night went on with the band playing a well rounded assortment of heaters from their discography,a bit of everything for everyone. As loud and angry as their songs come off, there is always a message to be found in them. Nearing the end of their set, “Danny Nedelko,” a pro immigration anthem, called for unity. As hundreds of fans sing alongside each other, Mark Bowen left the stage to join the crowd, singing alongside them.
Idles are one of the best bands to come out of England. With their loud noise, but deep, truthful messages, it is no wonder that they have been able to accumulate the following they have today. Their tour has just started, with many dates to be played throughout the year, and we highly recommend catching a show if you can.
Idles Setlist @ The Warfield
IDEA 01
Colossus
Gift Horse
Mr. Motivator
Mother
Car Crash
I’m Scum
1049 Grotto
The Wheel
Jungle
War
Wizz
Benzocaine
Grounds
Gratitude
Divide and Conquer
POP POP POP
Samaritans
Crawl!
The Beachland Ballroom
Never Fight a Man With a Perm
Dancer
Danny Dedelko
Rottweiler