IDLES

IDLES formed in Bristol in 2009, Joe Talbot, Mark Bowen, Lee Kiernan, Adam Devonshire, and Jon Beavis developing a sound rooted in post-punk and punk rock that was immediately confrontational and emotionally raw. Talbot's lyrics were unlike anything else in British music — addressing toxic masculinity, grief, immigration, and community with a directness and wit that made them genuinely important rather than merely provocative.

'Brutalism' (2017) was one of the most acclaimed British debuts of the decade — a raw, cathartic record that addressed Talbot's grief at his mother's death alongside broader social and political concerns. 'Joy as an Act of Resistance' (2018) was even more acclaimed, reaching number five in the UK and earning them a Mercury Prize nomination. Both albums established them as one of the most important British bands of their generation.

IDLES have continued to release albums of remarkable quality and ambition, with 'Ultra Mono' (2020) reaching number one in the UK and 'CRAWLER' (2021) showing a new sonic adventurousness. Their live shows are genuinely extraordinary — physically intense, emotionally cathartic, and built around a sense of community that is entirely their own. They are one of the great British bands of the 2020s. ⚠ Flag: post-2021 activity — verify any releases since 'CRAWLER'.