IDLES + CROWS – BRIGHTON DOME CONCERT HALL 29.03.19
IDLES are a band in the middle of a dramatic rise to prominence. The Bristol based five-piece have played Brighton on a number of occasions and have very quickly graduated from headlining the Prince Albert, to the Concorde 2, to the Brighton Dome.
Given that 14,000 tickets for their current UK tour sold out in ten minutes, I can’t help but think the next time they return will be to the Brighton Centre.
If you haven’t come across them yet (you will), their guitar-based music is big and brash and loud, and champions love and respect and unity in the most bold and dynamic way imaginable. To say that there is a buzz of anticipation surrounding tonight’s sold-out show is a considerable understatement.
Support comes from North London’s Crows. The hall is still filling up as they hit the stage with the title track of their new album ‘Silver Tongues’. They are rumoured to have recorded the album in darkness to achieve an appropriate vibe, and tonight’s lighting seems to have been designed with that in mind. Downlit from directly above the stage, the band members appear as ghostly silhouettes. Singer James Cox seems to be channeling the late Ian Curtis in a long coat, and there is more than a hint of Joy Division in their dark and brooding soundscapes.
Guitarist Steve Goddard and bassist Jith Amarasinghe flank the stage like shadowy sentinels, while drummer Sam Lister sets about pounding his floor tom into the middle of next week.
The steadily intense sonic bombardment reminds me at times of Killing Joke. The long coat is quickly discarded as James Cox becomes more animated, and despite screaming vocals draped in a delay that suggests he has fallen down a lift shaft, the crafted quality of the lyrics shines through. He has the habit of grabbing a second mic and singing down both, which works well visually and sonically.
Most of the set comes from the new album, although two older songs, ‘The Itch’ and ‘Whisper’, (from 2016 EPs ‘Cold Comfort’ and ‘Unwelcome Light’ respectively) are impressive too. The album tracks played tonight are all superb: moody and lyrical, and executed with a classic post-punk sensibility. The set is over all too soon, and it makes me want to hurry home and play the record.
Crows Setlist:
‘Silver Tongues’, ‘Demeanour’, ‘Wednesday’s Child’, ‘Empyrean’, ‘The Itch’, ‘Hang Me High’, ‘Whisper’, ‘Chain of Being’.
More Information: crowsband.com
The standing area quickly becomes very full as the crowd gathers in anticipation of the headliners’ set. A huge pink banner with the IDLES logo is draped behind the stage. The lights dim slightly, and the doom-laden clanging introduction to ‘Colossus’ begins shuddering through the hall.
I get the impression that every member of the audience knows every member of the band like they are family, but in case you don’t, I’ll run through the line up. What you do need to understand is that, unlike almost any other band, every member is vigorously animated and going for it throughout the whole set.
Joe Talbot is on vocals: a massive presence, apparently confrontational but warmly inclusive and concerned for everyone’s well-being.
Bassist Adam ‘Dev’ Devonshire has a bald head and massive beard, and dips and sways continuously, his headstock rising and dipping like a fairground swing boat.
Guitarist Mark Bowen has a retro style haircut and ‘tash (think Derek Smalls from ‘Spinal Tap’), a trademark bare chest, and mischievously scampers across the stage when he’s not crowd-surfing into the audience.
Guitarist Lee Kiernan wears his guitar at armpit level, has long floppy hair, and also makes regular forays into the audience.
