The release of appropriately named debut Brutalism in May followed a performance at SXSW and a sold-out UK tour for Bristol punks Idles. The record – which was named Album Of The Day by BBC Radio 6 Music on its release – is described by the band as “a necessary epitaph to the addictions, shadows and women in our lives”.
Originally from Devon, Idles had already been playing together for a few years before moving up the M5 to Bristol. Singer Joe Talbot says: “It’s gone well, because we stuck to our guns for seven years, kept our heads down, enjoyed ourselves and each other and worked fucking hard. I think our ethos and tone has a more pertinent ring to it in this current time and place, which has helped us get heard.”