Idles

About

Passionate, political and darkly comedic, IDLES' debut album ‘Brutalism' made an impact that no-one, not least the band, could have expected when it arrived, seemingly out of nowhere, in 2017. It was an album with such relevance to the fractured Britain that birthed it, that the band's potent individuality and honesty simply couldn't be ignored - and was described perfectly at the time by Uncut as: "a rare rock record with the rage, urgency, wit and shattering of complacency usually found only in grime." No band toured harder, and invites to support the likes of Foo Fighters saw IDLES' message spread even further, leading to a signing with the Brooklyn and London independent Partisan Records. IDLES second album - ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance' - saw them claim their rightful place as leaders in a movement of bands tearing down outdated perceptions of masculinity and bucking a trend of style over substance. Songs from the record were full-throated indictments of sexism, racism, the polarisation of Britain in the wake of Brexit, nationalism and toxic masculinity. ‘Joy' felt both incredibly personal and at other times universal, wearing both its heart - and an active mind - on its sleeve. In a musical landscape that had become so safe and sanitised, IDLES were and remain a bolt to the arm of the norm. Here was a band you could pin all your hopes on, ideals you could rally round, a set of songs you could believe in. And so many people have done just that - part of IDLES' success has been down to putting their fans first. A community, the AF Gang, was formed on social media in the wake of ‘Brutalism' that has now grown to tens of thousands of members. A judgement free zone where people can discuss everything from their musical tastes to their mental health, the group features regular contributions from members of IDLES themselves. The tight connection between the band and those who back them remains a fiercely important part of what makes them what they are.