IDLES aren’t the band that needs further introduction. The post-punk rockers from Bristol are also familiar to Glastonbury crowds. They appeared at the festival many times on various stages, but 2024 saw them headlining for the first time the second biggest festival stage – The Other Stage. This is quite common at Glasto. The Pyramid Stage appeals more to maintaining taste and The Other Stage is home to rebels, hard rockers and outlaws. This year was no different. While Dua Lipa put on the biggest show in her career, at the same time IDLES fulfilled the taste buds of those who like their music a bit louder, stronger and imperfectly perfect – live.
The band is known for being loud and upfront with their political views, which some Glastonbury goers might find surprising, unpopular or unsetting. With the anti-King chant and Banksy-founded inflatable migrant boat that floated above the crowd they for sure weren’t shy in expressing their disappointment with the current state of affairs. Musically IDLES are a well-oiled machine, built to last, thrive live and share their emotions with the crowd. The band’s energy continues. Their sets are filled with real, raw emotions. Talbot screams his anger, hopes and disappointments into the microphone, while his bandmates dive into the crowd and play their guitars while crowd surfing.
There is also a real mosh-pit, orchestrated by Joe Talbot, who orders the crowd to split into two, already on the first song into their show (IDEA 01). This is not a ride for the faint-hearted. Their set is a rollercoaster of energy and emotions. The band doesn’t waste any minute from their headline set, it’s like they want to use their headline set, knowing it will get shown on national TV, to make a point and take a political stand. Mother hits into the previous governing party, while I’m Scum gets used as a platform to provide support for Palestine. If you think the music should be a form of relaxation, think again. This is the war. War for equality, peace, better life, for another human being. The lights complete the band’s declaration. CEASEFIRE NOW shows up on the stage screen during the final Rotweiller.
IDLES shows are never dull, but the Glastonbury headline set on The Other Stage was on the next level and it will be remembered for years to come.
IDLES played:
IDEA 01
Colossus
Gift Horse
Mr. Motivator
Mother
Car Crash
I’m Scum
The Wheel
Gratitude
Benzocaine
POP POP POP
Never Fight a Man With a Perm
Dancer
Danny Nedelko
Stick Song
Rottweiler
Words and photography for Metal Planet Music, Edyta Krzesak
