*Photo credit: Shannon Johnston (@me_onlylouder*)

IDLES played the PNE Forum two nights in a row, closing out their Vancouver stay to a sold out room. Joe Talbot’s sincerity rang loudly throughout the set, melting into the audience where you could see hugs being shared, helping hands lifting people back on their feet from moshing and dancing, and unity during shouts of “Free Palestine”. IDLES is a shining example of pushing a revolution via the stage and the power of solidarity through music.

Fresh off the release of TANGK, the band are continuing to see budding success. They are on the brink of being a stadium band, from the technicalities of their musicianship, to their iconic and anthemic discography that has held up in longevity, to the stamina that Joe upholds as he prances around the stage with vigour. This is also indicative of how fast their shows are selling. And yet, the band keeps things relatively DIY and homegrown: they add extra dates for fans and they play their heart out like they are in a 50 capacity room. Guitarist Lee Kiernan for example, played half the show in the moshpit, shredding the guitar and thrashing to and fro with ease. Joe Talbot waved to the crowd, recognizing people in every corner of the forum. It was a mischievous move, right after yelling “split the pit”. It set the tone for a night to blow off steam and experience pure joy at the same time (the ironic balance that a moshpit employs).

IDLES burst into new songs with crowd members singing along to every word as if they were decade long hits, including “Gift Horse”, “Dancer”, and “POP POP POP”. But it didn’t stop there. The band played a little over an hour and a half, bouncing around their lengthy discography and leaving no stone unturned. The crowd reached their full potential during “I’m Scum” off of Joy As An Act Of Resistance. Joe captivated the audience, making them sit on the floor chanting “Fuck the King”, before erupting into a frenzy during the catchy chorus. That’s the IDLES way: they are a dichotomous group that leads with kindness, but recognizes the power of anger to make a revolutionary change. They also played crowd-favourite “Danny Nedelko” with Joe dedicating the track to the celebration of immigrants that came to Canada (and their own home country) and the ways in which they contribute to make our countries a better place.

Throughout these impactful statements and recognition that our world is divided on political issues, IDLES manage to do it in a way that is also approached with love. “I’m not trying to be a sanctimonious prick. I am someone with love in my heart. Thank you too for welcoming us into your country”, Joe said. It was a similar sentiment during “Gratitude”, which Joe proceeding to list off the things he was grateful for: the crowds for showing up and making them feel special, the band, and the new friends he makes at every show they play. It’s important to mention the infectious chemistry that the band have on stage as well. Before the band signed off from a lengthy set (in which everyone was out of breath by the end…keeping up stamina at an IDLES show is a talent in and of itself), their guitarist Mark Bowen proceeded to introduce each member and sang a snippet of Nickelback’s “This is How You Remind Me” in between giggles. They then proceeded to play their instruments, with Joe sharing drumming duties, facing each other instead of the crowd to “Rottweiler". All in all, it was maybe an ode to where they started and their friendship with each other, which they graciously invite the crowd into. They know how to shred, they know how to share their bundle of love, and they know how to put on a show.

IDLES takes the time to appreciate the things in life that contribute to their success, while also using their influence to draw the crowd back to the issues that are important. Love is the fing, as IDLES would say, and they exemplify that energy on and off the stage with authenticity. “Viva Palestine!” - Joe Talbot.

IDLES Leads with Gratitude at Sold Out PNE Forum Show in Vancouver, BC

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