Idles are a punk rock band from Bristol, England who rose to prominence in the mid-2010s with their politically charged lyrics and high-energy live performances. The band was formed in 2009 and released their debut album ‘Brutalism’ in 2017, but it wasn’t until their second album ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ in 2018 that they started to gain wider recognition. So how exactly did this underground punk band from the West Country make it big?
Early Years
Idles were formed by school friends Joe Talbot (vocals), Mark Bowen (guitar), Lee Kiernan (guitar), Adam Devonshire (bass) and Jon Beavis (drums). Talbot and Bowen had previously played together in a punk band called The Bat Band before recruiting the other members and renaming themselves Idles. The name was chosen for its meaning of ‘idle person’ but also as an ironic take on the Sex Pistols song ‘Pretty Vacant’.
The band spent their early years honing their sound on the Bristol underground music scene, playing warehouse parties and small venues around the city. Their raucous live performances built them a local following, but they struggled to break out further afield. Talbot has said those formative years were essential in developing the band’s chemistry: “We grafted for years, and I think that time was really important for us to gestate and become the band we are.”
Debut Album ‘Brutalism’
After several years of local shows, Idles finally released their debut album ‘Brutalism’ in March 2017 on the independent label Balley Records. The album showcased the band’s raw, aggressive punk sound and Talbot’s confrontational, politically charged lyrics tackling themes like toxic masculinity and nationalism. While the album didn’t chart, it received critical acclaim from outlets like The Guardian, NME and The Quietus, helping to establish Idles’ punk credentials.
The band undertook extensive touring throughout 2017 to promote the album, including a stint supporting The Maccabees on their farewell tour. Their fierce live performances further built their reputation and helped grow their dedicated fanbase. Talbot’s onstage rants became a trademark part of their shows, with the singer often calling out abusive audience members or security guards. This uncompromising approach cemented their punk rock authenticity.
Breakthrough With ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’
After over a year of solid touring behind ‘Brutalism’, Idles headed back into the studio in 2018 to record their follow-up album ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’. This sophomore release built on their raw punk sound but incorporated catchier melodies, more anthemic choruses and stronger pop sensibilities. Lyrically, Talbot continued to tackle heavy political subjects like immigration, nationalism and toxic masculinity, cementing their status as one of the most vital socio-political bands in punk.
The lead single “Danny Nedelko” exemplified this shift into more accessible territory while retaining their punk fury and searing social commentary. Further singles like “Samaritans” and “Great” earned strong radio play and helped turn Idles into one of the buzziest bands of 2018. When ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’ was released in August 2018, it debuted at number 5 on the UK album charts, signalling their breakthrough to the mainstream.
Critical praise also came flooding in, with NME calling it “The most relevant album of our times” and Pitchfork declaring it “An ecstatic release ready to restore some faith in guitar music.” The album was ultimately nominated for the Mercury Prize for Album of the Year and finished 15th in NME’s Albums of the Year list.
Growing International Popularity
On the back of their breakthrough album, Idles spent the rest of 2018 and 2019 playing to bigger and bigger audiences around the world. They graduated to larger venues and made US TV debut appearances on shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Their Glastonbury Festival set saw them play to thousands of adoring fans singing along to songs like “Danny Nedelko” and the female-empowering “Mother.”
Further UK tours in 2018 and 2019 sold out immediately and their international reach continued to grow with major festival bookings at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Primavera Sound. Their fanbase ballooned and audiences embraced Talbot’s impassioned rants against sexual abuse, nationalism and toxic masculinity during their incendiary live sets.
By the end of 2019, Idles had become one of the most in-demand rock bands in the world and were selling out shows from Australia to the USA. Their rise from Bristol punk rabble-rousers to one of the most vital socio-political rock bands in the world was complete.
Continued Success With ‘Ultra Mono’
Riding a wave of critical and commercial success, Idles returned to the studio in 2020 to record their third album ‘Ultra Mono’. The September 2020 release doubled down on their signature punk fury and political commentary, with additional influences from dance, hip hop and electronica. The album shot straight to number 1 on the UK charts, making it their first album to top the charts.
Songs like “War” and “Model Village” took aim at nationalism, consumerism and right-wing ideology with searing punk rage. But the album also showed Idles’ more melodic side with tracks like “Danke” and “The Lover”, adding a new emotional depth. Reviews again heaped praise on the album, with DIY Magazine calling it “A near-perfect record that could well be considered Idles’ magnum opus.”
Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Idles returned to live performances when possible in 2020/21 and continued to sell out shows across Europe and North America. Their headline sets at Reading & Leeds Festival in 2021 cemented their status as one of the most exciting rock bands in the world right now.
Why Did Idles Get So Big?
There are several key reasons why Idles were able to rise from relative obscurity to become one of the biggest punk rock bands in the world:
- Unique pairing of raw punk rock and biting socio-political lyrics – Their music brought aggression and accessible melodies together with themes that connected with contemporary social issues.
- Explosive live shows – Their intense, confrontational live performances built a devoted fanbase and reputation long before mainstream fame.
- Marketing and promotion – The band worked closely with Paradise Artists Management who helped strategically market them.
- Timing – Their punk ethos and political themes struck a chord with audiences tired of political upheaval and division.
- Critical acclaim – Positive album reviews from major outlets bolstered their profile and credibility.
- Festivals – High profile festival bookings at Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, Coachella exposed them to bigger mainstream audiences.
- Online following – Their fanbase grew rapidly online via Facebook groups and subreddits.
Ultimately it was the combination of their timely socio-political message, raw yet melodic music and cathartic live shows that allowed them to crossover from punk outsiders to mainstream success story.
Conclusion
Idles’ rise from underground punks to festival headliners and chart-toppers shows how a band with a vital message can resonate in the right cultural moment. Their unique blend of punk rock energy and scathing political themes struck a chord with audiences disillusioned by division and unrest. Authenticity and raw passion have always been at the core of their success. They built a dedicated fanbase organically through years of explosive live shows and then capitalized on their momentum with critically acclaimed albums like ‘Joy as an Act of Resistance’.
As the world faces continued upheaval and uncertainty, Idles’ brand of cathartic, socio-politically charged punk feels more essential than ever. Their ascent is a reminder that embracing raw emotion and tackling difficult topics can help create truly meaningful art and connection. Idles have cemented their status as one of the most relevant and necessary rock bands of the late 2010s and early 2020s.