Photo credit: Lindsay Melbourne
Today, IDLES have shared a new live version of ‘Television’, which is taken from their highly-anticipated first-ever live album ‘A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live at Le Bataclan’.
The limited double LP edition will be available across three different colours, each with their own individual artwork. All will be housed in deluxe gatefold packaging, and each will contain a booklet designed by Joe, featuring photographs from the show and a selection of poetry.
“A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live at Le Bataclan” will also be available to buy on CD and as a download.
The album follows a recent Mercury Prize nomination (and incendiary televised performance) for their critically acclaimed second album “Joy as an Act of Resistance”, and celebrates a landmark couple of years for the band with a top 5 official UK album chart position, an Ivor Novello award for ‘Best Album’, a breathtaking Glastonbury performance, a completely individual appearance on Later With… Jools Holland and a number of sold out tours across the world. IDLES were also recently chosen for Apple’s ongoing Shot On iPhone campaign, with billboards up now across the globe.
Speaking about the album, vocalist Joe Talbot says, “Our show at Bataclan was the end of a very long journey for us. On that tour we learnt so much about ourselves, each other and the audiences we have grown with over the past 10 years. That show was nothing short of catharsis and nothing more than love. We love what we do and the people who have carried us here, there was no hiding that at Bataclan and we are so very grateful that the moment was captured in all its glory, love and fatigue. Long live the open minded and long live the moment.”
Speaking about the track and the album, guitarist Mark Bowen also says, “Show #162,378 of 2018. The final show of the first Joy as an Act of Resistance tour. We love playing live, every show, but there is a lot of bullshit that comes with touring so rigorously.
There was an impending sense of freedom in the room. That night was catharsis in a bottle, a rage and camaraderie that can only be obtained by spending 3 and a 1/2 months on a bus/van with 8 other people you have already spent way too much time with. That can only be obtained by the presence of a receptive, understanding and respectful audience. That night felt as if everyone in that room was in it together. We had created something needed on that tour, by the 5 of us, our crew, anyone in that room that night or any other on the tour. We need, as much as any others, to repeat the simple mantras from our songs to help us work through the dark and get better. Love Yourself, love yourself, LOVE YOURSELF.”
IDLES also recently announced a short tour for December to celebrate the bands recent string of achievements – including their biggest headlining date yet on Saturday, 7th December at London’s Alexandra Palace. All five dates went on to sell out within the first 24 hours.
Mon 2 Dec Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom SOLD OUT
Tue 3 Dec Glasgow, Barrowland Ballroom SOLD OUT
Wed 4 Dec Manchester, Academy SOLD OUT
Thu 5 Dec Leeds, O2 Academy SOLD OUT
Sat 7 Dec London, Alexandra Palace SOLD OUT
‘A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live at Le Bataclan’ will be released 6th December via Partisan Records. Pre-order HERE
More information on IDLES:
Joe Talbot – vocals
Adam Devonshire – bass
Mark Bowen – guitars
Lee Kiernan – guitars
Jon Beavis – drums
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 and The Maccabees (at Alexandra Palace) saw IDLES’ message spread even further, leading to a signing with the Brooklyn and London independent Partisan Records. IDLES second album saw them become leaders in a movement of new 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. The record 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, even now.
That second album, ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance’, debuted at no.5 in the UK charts upon its release last August, breaking Rough Trade’s all-time record for most pre-orders and sales in a day. It was, for a period, the no.1 best reviewed record of 2018 (average rating of 88 across 25 reviews) and at the end of 2018 it had won a fanbase far beyond the UK, featuring in album of the year lists across key media worldwide.
The band saw not only the album’s singles but the album itself A-listed at 6 Music and earned major features, amongst others, with the likes of Q, Mojo and The Guardian with covers to follow at DIY, Loud & Quiet, Kerrang!, So Young, CRACK and NME. IDLES won Best Breakthrough at the Q Awards, were nominated for Breakthrough Artist at the Brit Awards and performed a raucous Jools Holland debut which NME called “history in the making…incomparably brilliant,” likening it to Arctic Monkeys and Kanye West’s first appearances on the show.
They were announced as 6 Music’s no.1 album of the year, won the coveted Ivor Novello award for Best Album, were nominated for the Mercury Prize and saw not one, but two extensive tours sell out worldwide. Dates in the UK, US & Australia and festival performances across the globe were full of people eager to see a band famed as much for their frantic, unforgettable live shows as their rousing songs. Their last run of London shows, three consecutive dates at The Electric Ballroom in April, all sold out in minutes – and on December 7th this year they return to Alexandra Palace, this time as the headliners. Their biggest headline performance yet, it culminates a remarkable last couple of years for a band who have never given us anything less than everything. As well as a chance to celebrate all that has come before, it will also be the first opportunity for people to hear much-anticipated new material from an-as-yet untitled third album that is nearing completion and set for 2020.
More info:
http://www.idlesband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/idlesband/
https://twitter.com/idlesband
https://www.instagram.com/idlesband/
Selected praise for IDLES:
“No hyperbole needed; IDLES are the most important band we have right now.” – DIY Magazine (cover story)
“Everything about Joy As An Act Of Resistance is just so perfectly realised. An instant classic, one that people will turn to in times of need for years to come.”
10/10 – NME
“This album is a heart-breaking but jubilant exploration of joy, honesty, fragility and expression as our most powerful means of human resistance.”
9/10 – Classic Rock
“IDLES have released the most relevant and at times gut wrenching album of the year.” – Drowned In Sound
“IDLES make sense of modern chaos on the utterly essential Joy as an Act of Resistance.” – The Line Of Best Fit
“Idles take their rightful place as not Britain’s, nor Europe’s, but the world’s most vital band. It’s a fist-clenched celebration of the full spectrum of phenomena – inexplicable, crushing and totally joyous – that divides and unites us all.” – The Quietus
“IDLES deliver a thunderous and sharp state-of-the-nation address.” – The 405
“Across its 40-odd minutes, Joy As An Act of Resistance makes you want to laugh and cry and roar into the wind and cradle your nearest and dearest. It is a beautiful slice of humanity delivered by a group of men whose vulnerability and heart has become a guiding light in the fog for an increasing community of fans who don’t just want, but need this.”
5/5 – DIY
“The power of ‘Joy As An Act Of Resistance.’ is how it shows society itself in a mirror. Sometimes it’s a bathroom mirror in the morning too bright and over exposed, another time it’s a makeup mirror in a car you struggle just to catch a glimpse of yourself and other times it’s a fairground mirror and everything is distorted and grotesque. But each time you have look yourself in the eye and take stock for your actions.
This is a band to get excited about. Very, VERY, excited about!”
9/10 – Clash
“This album announces IDLES as one of the most exhilarating and necessary punk bands of right now.” – Kerrang!
“…this isn’t good-time, aspirational, radio-friendly pop. But for anyone in need of music that articulates their concerns or helps them to work through their troubles–or anyone who simply appreciates blistering, intelligent punk – they might just be Britain’s most necessary band.” – The Guardian
“Over a visceral torrent of motorik punk-pop pummels recalling prime Pixies or mclusky, Joe hails his “beautiful immigrant” blood brother “Danny Nedelko” and celebrates his “mongrel” upbringing on “I’m Scum” – in a world run by bullish right-wing sex pests, his aggressive compassion is a potent antidote.” – The Independent
“This feels indispensable, as both bereavement therapy and Brexit-era protest.” – Q
“Britain’s most cult-worthy band have a raging vitality.” – GQ
“Joy as An Act of Resistance is a record that bristles with the political and emotional energy of punk’s very best.”
9/10 – CRACK
“One of the most vital albums of 2018.”
5/5 – Dork
“‘Joy…’ is a self-confessed parade. It’s a punch-up and it’s a bear hug.” – Loud & Quiet
“Their follow-up sees them crank everything up to the next level. No band is better equipped to document the here and now, warts and all.” – Mojo
“This must surely win the award for most intense album of the year. An exorcism of sadness and rage, with a burning commitment to honesty of expression throughout.” – The Times
“Bristolian punk – brutally loud, brutally honest.” – Uncut
“IDLES is the best 21st century punk-ish band I’ve heard.” – NPR Music (Bob Boilen)
“Visceral, joyous, and honest — lightning rods for collective rage, forged from love.” – Vice
