U.K Post-Punk mainstays, IDLES, and Fontaines D.C., the newcomers from Ireland, were ready to set Brooklyn aflame.

Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C.

Something was in the air in Brooklyn, NY on Friday night. Brooklyn Steel was bustling between the young and old ages, eager to get inside to see IDLES and Fontaines D.C. This concert has been long sold out — and for a valid reason. Over the past few years, IDLES has been making a name for themselves. Since 2009 the group has been pushing against the grain of the British political agenda and stood out in a class full of pop and commercial artists. In 2019 IDLES was nominated for the Brit Awards for “Breakthrough Act”. They shrug it off like it’s nothing, just like you’d expect them to. They stay firm and true to their views through and through and tonight Brooklyn was ready to see the band come to light and shine. Joining IDLES was the hard-hitting Fontaine’s D.C. from Dublin, Ireland.

Stepping with their fist clutched onto the Brooklyn stage was the frontman, Grian Chatten. Fontaines D.C. was ready to show the crowd what a true party is all about. Hailing from Dublin, Fontaines D.C. is an act that encompasses everything a post-punk lover would want: heavy beats, energetic swings, and choppy choruses. The band just released their first full-length album, Dogrel, earlier this year. They blasted through a setlist that started the pushing and shoving in the crowd.

Mark Bowen of IDLES performing at Brooklyn Steel

The rowdy bunch from the UK were on next. Atlanta and Open Ears got a taste of them at Shaky Knees, but this time we were treated to a full-length set. IDLES launched onto the stage for “Colossus”. Their stage presence can be felt miles away: Joe Talbot angrily stomping and staring, Mark Bowen with only American flag spandex, and strong staredowns from the rest of the members. Beer was flying and the crowd was into the angst that was projected from the band. Like any great frontman would, Talbot allowed the band to breathe, show the crowd the meaning behind certain songs, and to most importantly just have fun.

IDLES performing at Brooklyn Steel

On this particular Friday night, Mothers Day was only a couple days away. Talbot shared with the crowd the importance of feelings, emotions, to support those you love, and to fight against the political agenda if you disagree. He then signaled to roll into “Mother“. The fists went flying chanting the lyrics, “The best way to scare a Tory is to read and get rich”. Continuing to roll, the band played other hits such as “Heel/Heal” and “Television”, before ending with “Rottweiler”. All of the members left the stage except for Bowen, who proceeded to make a hard thumping beat with his remaining energy on the drum set before leaving the stage.

Lee Kiernan of IDLES performing at Brooklyn Steel

Every ounce of energy was left on the stage, there were no encores, just playing their bombastic set straight through. The sold-out show pulled people of all ages out and they were shown two of Europes finest post-punk acts.

FONTAINES D.C. Online:

FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // WEBSITE

IDLES Online:

FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // WEBSITE

Upcoming IDLES Tour Dates:

05/12 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel *

05/14 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom *

05/16 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar *

05/17 – Dallas, TX @ The Curtain Club *

05/18 – Austin, TX @ Barracuda *

05/20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar *

05/21 – San Diego, CA @ Belly Up *

05/22 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda *

05/24 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *

05/25 – San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *

05/27 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *

05/28 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s *

05/31 – London, UK @ All Points East Festival

06/01 – Paris, FR @ We Love Green

06/06 – Helsinki, FI @ Sideways Festival

06/06-08 – Aarhus, DK @ NorthSide Festival

06/11-13 – Oeiras, PT @ NOS Alive Festival

06/13-16 – Nickelsdorf, AT @ Nova Rock

06/13-16 – Isle of Wight, UK @ Isle of Wight Festival

06/21 – Scheeßel, DE @ Hurricane Festival

06/23 – Tuttlingen, DE @ Southside Festival

06/26-30 – Pilton, UK @ Glastonbury Festival

06/27 – St. Gallen, CH @ Open Air St. Gallen

06/29 – Luxembourg, LU @ Siren’s Call

07/02-03 – Gdynia, PL @ Open’er Festival

07/04-06 – Hradec Králové, CZ @ Rock for People

07/05 – Arras, FR @ Camping Main Square Festival

07/04-07 – Belfort, FR @ Eurockéennes de Belfort

07/04-08 – Cahors, FR @ Beauregard Festival

07/11-13 – Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao BBK Live

07/11 – Dublin, IE @ Iveagh Gardens

07/25-28 – Penrith, UK @ Kendal Calling

07/25-28 – Derby, UK @ Y Not Festival

07/25-28 – Standon, UK @ Standon Calling

07/26-28 – Steventon, UK @ Truck Festival

07/29 – Detroit, MI @ El Club #

07/30 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall #

08/02 – Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza

08/03 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue #

08/06-10 – Oslo, NO @ Oya Festival

08/07-13 – Budapest, HU @ Sziget Festival

08/08-10 – Gothenburg, SE @ Way Out West

08/08 – Rees, DE @ Haldern Pop Festival

08/14-17 – Saint-Mal, FR @ La Route Du Rock

08/15-18 – Brecon Beacons, UK @ Green Man Music Festival

08/15-18 – Hasselt, BE @ Pukkelpop

08/16-18 – Biddinghuizen, NL @ Lowlands Festival

08/22-25 – Northamptonshire, UK @ Shambala Festival

08/31 – Bristol, UK @ The Downs

10/07-06 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits

10/07 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park ^

10/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern ^

10/10 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore ^

10/11-13 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits

10/14 – Washington, DC @ 930 Club %

10/15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer %

10/16 – Boston, MA @ Royale %

10/17 – New York, NY @ Terminal 5 %

* = w/ Fontaines D.C.

# = w/ A Place To Bury Strangers

^ = w/ Surfbort

% = w/ Preoccupations