Photo Credit: Melinda Oswandel
UK post-punkers Idles took over the majestic Kings Theatre in Brooklyn Thursday, September 15th, with special guests Injury Reserve, a hip hop group from Tempe, Arizona, who unfortunately I didn’t make it in time to see. Idles’ latest tour is titled “Back to Normal,” which is quite fitting considering the last time they played the states, Covid was still much more evident. And compared to their show at Terminal 5 in NYC last fall, their Kings Theatre performance was much less tame and more up close and personal. It was a 1 ½ hour power-packed joy ride filled with gut-wrenching vocals, thought-provoking lyrics, endless adrenaline, and fun. Guitarist Mark Bowen (donning a long floral dress), guitarist Lee Kiernan and bassist Adam Devonshire all jumped in the pit and joined their excited fans while using them as support. Kiernan, at one point, even pulled up what seemed to be a random fan while he was crowd-surfing. The five-piece had a fantastic jam session at the end of the set, with frontman Joe Talbot beating on the drums alongside drummer Jon Beavis.
Idles at Kings Theatre was one of my favorite shows this year. Their last show in the states was September 18th at Sea Hear Now Festival in Asbury Park, NJ, which I also attended. They now have several shows in New Zealand and Australia, which are all sold out. If these guys tour your area, do yourself a favor and check them out. You can thank me later.
Idles
Photo Credit: Melinda Oswandel
Setlist:
Colossus
Car Crash
Mr. Motivator
Grounds
Mother
Divide and Conquer
The Beachland Ballroom
Never Fight a Man With a Perm
Crawl!
1049 Gotho
The Wheel
Television
A Hymn
War
Wizz
I’m Scum
Danny Nedelko
Rottweiler
Review and Photos by Metal Insider’s contributing photographer Melinda Oswandel.
