IDLES have released a stream of their 2018 show at Paris' Le Bataclan – a gig that was "nothing short of catharsis and nothing more than love".
Following the release of last year's A Beautiful Thing: IDLES Live At Le Bataclan live album, IDLES have unveiled a full stream of the show for fans to watch during coronavirus lockdown.
The show – which dates back to December 2018 – signified the end of the touring cycle for the Bristol punks' incredible Joy As An Act Of Resistance album, with frontman Joe Talbot explaining, “Our show at Le Bataclan was the end of a very long journey for us. On that tour, we learnt so much about ourselves, each other and the audiences we have grown with over the past 10 years.
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“That show was nothing short of catharsis and nothing more than love. We love what we do and the people who have carried us here, there was no hiding that night at Le Bataclan and we are so very grateful that the moment was captured in all its glory, love and fatigue. Long live the open-minded and long live the moment.”
“There was an impending sense of freedom in the room,” added guitarist Mark Bowen. “That night was catharsis in a bottle, a rage and camaraderie that can only be obtained by spending three and a half months on a bus/van with eight other people you have already spent way too much time with. That can only be obtained by the presence of a receptive, understanding and respectful audience. That night felt as if everyone in that room was in it together. We had created something needed on that tour, by the five of us, our crew, anyone in that room that night or any other on the tour. We need, as much as any others, to repeat the simple mantras from our songs to help us work through the dark and get better. Love Yourself, love yourself, LOVE YOURSELF.”
Watch the show below:
In December last year, IDLES confirmed that their new record was being mixed.
“We’ve got a new album it’s being mixed right now in your city actually,” Joe told Zane Lowe on Apple Music’s Beats 1. “The producers we’ve got is Nick Launay and Adam ‘Atom’ Greenspan and we’ve got another guy… I don’t know if I’m supposed to mention him. Kenny Beats. I’m gonna get in so much trouble, man.”
“Oh my god,” replied Kenny. “Joe you can’t give this info, Joe!”
“I didn’t know what to do – I didn’t have anything else,” Joe replied.
“Now my information about my career isn’t even safe,” joked Kenny. “Let me just say, though, IDLES are the best band in the whole world. That’s what I said to them. I think this is a good lesson for anybody else who is pigeonholed or pushed into doing what they do best and only that. I heard IDLES and was like, ‘This is all I want to work on; this is all I want to do. These guys are the best.’ I got into their DMs and told them that and luckily we got to meet, and the proof is in the pudding. I care so much and I think they can tell. It has nothing to do with anybody knowing we’re working together, or money, or anything. I love what they’re doing I want to be a part so now everyone knows I’m a part of it.”
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