Music / idles
Idles perform three livestreamed shows at Abbey Road
“Fucking livid,” said Joe Talbot, clearly not 100 per cent happy with his vocal performance during the first of three livestreamed gigs from the world famous Abbey Road Studios.
“Sorry about the lack of chit-chat but I am inconsolably nervous.”
Understandably so, because these were the Bristol band’s first live performances for months and they were being broadcast live from west London to an audience across the globe.
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“It’s been a very strange time for everyone,” Talbot added on Saturday evening. “This feels like we’re under the microscope.”
By the end of the first stream, however, Idles had got into their stride. And by the end, Talbot was lying prostrate on the carpet in the centre of the room and Lee Kiernan had smashed his guitar.
Idles played three livestreamed shows from Abbey Road on Saturday and Sunday – photo: Live From Events
Idles lead singer dedicated songs to people including his uncle and brother – photo: Live From Events
Jon Beavis represented Bristol in the first gig, wearing a t-shirt by Bristol Streetwear – photo: Live From Events
Dev featured on one of the Thekla’s podcasts recently talking about lockdown, gigs and mental health – photo: Live From Events
Mark Bowen kept his trousers on during the shows – photo: Live From Events
Lee Kiernan and his guitar – photo: Live From Events
The remains of Lee Kiernan’s guitar – photo: Live From Events
This being Abbey Road, the recording studio that the Beatles made famous, a cover by the Fab Four was expected – and Idles obliged with their own version of Helter Skelter, with Placebo’s Pure Morning thrown in for good measure.
Reptilia by the Strokes was also covered, but these shows were mostly a chance for the band to showcase their own back catalogue as well as tracks from third album Ultra Mono, due to be released in September.
Idles’ Abbey Road setlist
Joe Talbot needed a reminder of the words for Helter Skelter by the Beatles – photo: Live From Events
“I’ve missed this so fucking much,” said Joe Talbot after Idles played Samaritans during their third and final set on Sunday lunchtime – photo: Live From Events
Watch all three of Idles’ Lock In Sessions at Abbey Road until 11pm on September 2 at store.livefrom.events/collections/idles
Main photo: Live From Events
Read more: 10 things to do this week in Bristol, August 31-September 6 2020
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