Idles

Bristolians crank the energy levels to the max.

★ Finally returning to full-blooded touring mode, Idles bounce on stage like prize fighters ready to reclaim their title. This is the first of four back-toback nights at Brixton, and Joe Talbot and his artpunk hooligans are taking no chances with further covid cancellations, cramming enough energy for at least four shows into their performance.

To their detractors, Idles are an overblown cartoon joke band, bellowing simplistic slogans over a clobbering post-hardcore racket, and there is certainly plenty of rowdy testosterone clamour in the or But there are hints of more emotional depth too, notably on songs from the Bristol band’s latest album . and the brooding showcase Talbot’s underrated skills as a melodic crooner, while recasts him in incongruously tender, tearful, doo-wop soul-man mode.