Live music review: IDLES rocked sold out Stubb’s BBQ

Approximately two years since their previous visit to Austin, hardcore UK punk rockers, IDLES, made their glorious return to the live music capital October 25, on a warm, muggy night at the now-legendary Stubb’s BBQ, in the historic Red River Cultural District, fans of the Bristol-based band filled the outdoor amphitheater to capacity. The show was sold out and had been for weeks.

The dirt, dust and rocks under your shoes, (Stubb’s Amphitheater is basically a dirt lot), the smell of BBQ, and the fans amassed at the many beer bars lining the edge of the venue, made setting all the more ideal for what was to come later.

Brooklyn-based punk five-piece, Gustaf opened the night to a thirsty crowd of punk rock fans already packing the venue from one end to the other. Gustaf put their stamp the event handily, exciting the crowd and setting up the atmosphere for one great night of live music. 

Opening the set with “Colossus,” IDLES set the tone early for what would certainly be an energetic performance. The crowd erupted into a frenzy at front-and-center stage, moshing, crowd surfing, and projecting various beverages toward one another; attendees were hooked the second IDLES took the stage. 

“Mr. Motivator,” the third number of their 19-song setlist, activated more crowd members to join the frontstage frenzy. This was followed by the distinct guitar strumming of Mark Bowen and Lee Kiernan in the opening notes of “Grounds.”  The track was an anthem for so many in 2020 with lead vocalist, Joe Talbot sings, “Do you hear that thunder? / That’s the sound of strength in numbers…”

Their recent single, “The Beach House Ballroom,” the first song released from their upcoming LP, CRAWLER, gave the crowd a chance to catch their breath, as those in attendance seem to cling to every word.

As the show progressed, Talbot, continued with asides, reminding those in attendance of how glad the band was to be back in Austin, leading the crowd through an acapella “Happy Birthday” to one audience member, and teasing showgoers with a partial cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” Then guitarist Mark Bowen paid homage to Texas legend Selena with a chants of “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” IDLES masters the art of knowing their audience, and engaging the crowd.

The drum solo from Jon Beavis on “War” was even more impressive in-person than on the studio recording.  Adam Devonshire’s bass work on fan-favorites, “I’m Scum,” and “Television” was profound.

What makes IDLES unique is their ability to convey empathy, understanding, bravery, and a strong sense of standing up for and respecting one another, delivered with the heaviest, most in-your-face fashion. They’re sentimentality and rage, love and fury, empathy and empowerment all make IDLES one of the most compelling bands today.

IDLES wrapped up the show with a jam-out rendition of “Rottweiler,” for which they teamed up with opening act, Gustaf, crushing the stage together before calling it a night.

CRAWLER is scheduled for release on November 12 via Partisan Records.

Set List:

Colossus
Car Crash
Mr. Motivator
Grounds
Mother
The Beachland Ballroom
Never Fight A Man With A Perm
Anxiety
Samaritans
Divide And Conquer
War
1049 Gotho
The Wheel
Television
I’m Scum
Reigns
Love Song
Danny Nadelko
Rotweiler (with Gustaf)

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