Idlewild - Macadam Building,London University, 12/3/2002
by Anthony Strutt
published: 10 / 4 / 2002

intro
In the second our two Idlewild live reviews this month, Anthony trutt watches the band struggle with a dodgy PA at London University
The Macadam Building overlooks the Thames, and sitting in the post gig bar, drinking a pint of lager that only cost me £1.60 a pint, I was in heaven. Upstairs to the gig paying punters, they increased this to £2. Idlewild have not played anywhere in the UK for over a year now, so the hungry, young audience were definitely up for a good show, but sadly the college's PA wasn't. The sound started developing problems during the second song. The band played well considering this, but the equipment wasn't up to scratch and it was only when the band played the final number in a shortened set , replacing 'Discourage' with 'Captain' , that they finally got into their stride. The young crowd, however, saw their favourite band, jumped up and down and got rid of their frustrations, while us old farts were simply disappointed. The generation gap gets wider. The few new songs they offered us sounded great and the singles are simply great pop tracks, but this new band can grunge out in true hardcore style when they want to as well. In playing everything from melodic dirges to REM epic style pop, they remain essentially wild young scallies at heart.
Picture Gallery:-


interviews |
Interview (2009) |
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Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble speaks about his band's forthcoming new album, which is being paid for by the sponsorship of their fans, and his recent collaboration with folk musicians, John McCusker and Kris Drever |
Interview with Rod Jones (2005) |
live reviews |
Electric Ballroom, London, 16/10/2009 |
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Ben Howarth watches Scottish rockers Idlewild play a set of both their better known songs and rarities a sold out show at the Electric Ballroon in London |
London Astoria, 20/4/2002 |
features |
Idlewild (2006) |
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Idlewild played played their first British dates in nearly a year in late November and early December and have a new album out, Make Another World', in 2007. New Pennyblackmusic photographer Katie Anderson takes live photos of them at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth. |
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Scottish Fiction (The Best of 1997-2007) (2007) |
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Engaging ten year anniversary compilation from still under-rated Scots rockers Idlewild which appears in a special edition with film of a live concert, bonus interviews, acoustic tracks and promo videos |
No Emotion (2007) |
If It Takes You Home (2006) |
El Capitan (2005) |
Warnings/promises (2005) |
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