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IDLES

IDLES, a Bristol-born punk rock band, have been a breath of fresh air in the UK music industry since their formation in 2009. The band, comprised of Joe Talbot, Adam Devonshire, Mark Bowen, Lee Kiernan and Jon Beavis, weren’t an instant hit. In fact, they spent nearly a decade fine-tuning their signature blend of raucous energy, searing social commentary, and unapologetic vulnerability before their breakthrough with the 2017 album “Brutalism”. What’s notable, is their commitment to performing every gig as if it is their last, which has inadvertently caused them to smash a few instruments along the way.

In terms of music videos, IDLES have a visually captivating discography that stands among the most creative. Their videos often supplement their lyrical punch. "Mother", a fierce critique of the gender wage gap, showcases the band fervently scrubbing a concrete floor, a gripping metaphor for relentless and underpaid labor. The absurdly brilliant “Stendhal Syndrome”, features members of the band mocking art snobs while inserting themselves into famous paintings. Remarkably, the band managed to produce three impactful videos for their 2020 album "Ultra Mono". The video for “War” presents a visceral and chaotic depiction of the effects of conflict, while “A Hymn" displays a melancholic supermarket journey, highlighting the mundanity and emptiness of modern life. Also interesting to note, the video for "Model Village" was created with Michel Gondry, the genius behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Last but not least, their faces beneath swimming pool’s water in the "Mercedes Marxist" video, aptly mirrors the claustrophobic pressure of financial struggles. With IDLES, each music video is not just a promotional tool, but an avenue for vital storytelling and social critique. Their knack for releasing works that are visually entertaining while speaking volumes on pressing issues is a testament to the band's ability to tread the line between entertainment and activism.

Now, for a neat little fact: The band’s guitarist, Mark Bowen, was actually studying dentistry when the band first formed – talk about biting off more than you can chew! At one music festival, he even performed emergency dental surgery for a fan... or so the story goes.

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