Bristol bands don’t often become big, but when they do, they become MASSIVE. The punk rock group Idles will release their fifth album in almost seven years in February, followed by a major UK tour to some of the country’s biggest venues – many of which sold out almost a year in advance!
We’re expecting ‘Tangk’ to propel Idles further into stardom when it releases on February 16 – who landed their first two Grammy Award nominations with their last album, ‘Crawler’. Earlier this week (January 15), the band unveiled the new single ‘Gift Horse’ with Steve Lamacq on 6 Music. The intense track continues to showcase the band’s ambition with the new record – with previous singles including the mantric euphoria of ‘Dancer and the soulful slow-burner ‘Grace’.
‘Gift Horse’ is accompanied by a video set in a supermarket, where a dead-eyed checkout man absentmindedly scans items while the rest of the store brims with surrealistic images: main character social media creators, people seemingly amid a manic episode, an otherwise straightlaced preacher, and guitarist Mark Bowen taking a mechanical bull by the horns.
Speaking about the track, singer Joe Talbot says: “Look at us go! Music and movement for you and yours. Be bold and ride us like the disco donkeys we are. Or at least watch our video.” Excitement for the album has already seen all 2000 copies of a limited edition Blood Records 10” format sell out in just thirty minutes. The major UK tour for ‘Tangk’ won’t start until November, however, where they’ll play the likes of London’s Alexandra Palace (Nov 29), The Brighton Centre (Dec 1) and Birmingham O2 Academy (Dec 3).
But Bristol’s in for an early treat… To celebrate the release of ‘Tangk’, Idles will be playing three intimate out-store shows in February. The first two will be in London at PRYZM in Kingston (February 15) and Electric Brixton (February 15). This will culminate with a homecoming gig at The Marble Factory in Bristol on February 17. Tickets go on sale this Friday (January 19) at 10am. Get yours by heading here.
Idles’ UK & Ireland tour dates 2024
February
15th – Kingston, PRYZM (hosted by Banquet Records)
16th – London, Electric Brixton (hosted by Rough Trade)
17th – Bristol, The Marble Factory (hosted by Rough Trade)
July
12th – Cardiff, Castle
13th – Halifax, The Piece Hall
20th – Margate, Margate Summer Series
21st – Cornwall, The Wyldes
November
17th – Belfast, Telegraph (SOLD OUT)
19th – Dublin, Olympia (SOLD OUT)
23rd – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
24th – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
25th – Nottingham, Rock City (SOLD OUT)
26th – Nottingham, Rock City
29th – London, Alexandra Palace
December
1st – Brighton, The Brighton Centre
3rd – Birmingham, O2 Academy
6th – Manchester, O2 Apollo
7th – Manchester, O2 Apollo (SOLD OUT)