Idlewild

Idlewild formed in Edinburgh in 1995, Roddy Woomble's energetic vocals and the band's chaotic, post-punk sound giving them a quality that was immediately distinctive. They signed to Food Records and released their debut album 'Hope Is Important' (1998) — a raw, energetic record that showed the potential without fully realising it.

'100 Broken Windows' (2000) was the breakthrough — 'Little Discourage', 'Actually It's Darkness', and 'These Wooden Ideas' were all excellent singles. The album reached number nine and established Idlewild as one of the most important Scottish bands of their generation. Woomble's lyrics had developed into something genuinely literary — influenced by Scottish poetry and fiction in ways that were audible.

'The Remote Part' (2002) reached number three and contained some of their finest work. 'You Held the World in Your Arms' and 'American English' were both top twenty singles. Idlewild have continued to record and tour, their sound evolving towards a more acoustic, folk-influenced direction. Woomble has also had a successful solo career.