Musical legends and band of the moment grace benefit gig
War Child benefit gig O2 Academy, Bristol
THREE songs into Idles’ hourlong set, singer Joe Talbot said that it was hard following “the best band on the planet”.
Bristol music legends Portishead had just played a mesmerising fivesong, half-hour slot – amazingly their first gig in seven years, and yet they sounded incredible.
Let’s set the scene a bit. It was a benefit gig for War Child at Bristol’s O2.
The charity was set up in the 1990s to support and help children affected by war, and this event at the O2 was a special fundraiser for the children of Ukraine.
Over six hours, the audience – most of them competition winners who made a donation to go along – were treated to the cream of the city’s music scene with some upcoming talent too.
Among those taking part were Billy Nomates, Katy J Pearson, Heavy Lungs, Wilderman, Willie J Healey and, of course, the hugely anticipated return of Portishead, along with arguably the band of the moment, Idles.
People of all ages were in the venue from 16 to 60. Over at the ‘merch’ stand, 3D of Massive Attack – another legendary Bristol group – had designed a special T-shirt for the event that you could buy to raise funds, and there was also a raffle with some great prizes such as festival tickets to some of Bristol’s best outdoor gigs this year.
I wasn’t sure if I’d won a prize as the winning tickets were drawn from a bucket on stage by Bristol-based actor/compere for the night, Paul McGann, ably helped by performers Katy J Pearson and Dev from Idles.
I couldn’t really see the numbers on the tickets in the dim light. But, hey, it was the donating, not the winning that counted.
From my vantage point on the vertigo-inducing top tier at the O2, I clung on to the bar in front of me as Portishead walked on to the stage to rapturous cheering and applause. They started with Mysterons, the opening track on their Mercuryprize winning album Dummy, and it sounded so good – the crowd were captivated. In their short set, a beautiful version of Wandering Star stood out, as did closing with Roads – another track from Dummy. Singer Beth Gibbons seemed genuinely humbled and slightly overwhelmed by the reaction she was getting from the crowd, while band member Geoff Barrow had a good ole chat with us. It was like seeing some old mates.
Then, the stage was prepped for Idles and a long line of huge amplifiers were uncovered. I knew we were in for a noisy night.
If you don’t know Idles, here’s a quick synopsis... their music is, pretty much, punk rock/ alternative and loud.
Their lyrics – smart, funny, political, important – they truly have something to say, they speak for a generation and beyond, and they sound like no other band.
Are they any good live? Yes! Oh my goodness, it was a band at the top of their game – so in tune with each other. Joe’s voice was incredible and what a frontman! The crowd loved it.
Mother sounded amazing with everyone singing right back at Joe; Mr Motivator was another great
Idles speak for a generation and beyond, and they sound like no other band
crowd-pleaser – ‘you can do it!’ Joe sang to us.
But surely the highlight of the set was when the real Danny Nedelko (who Idles wrote about in their proimmigration song, Danny Nedelko) appeared on the stage with them – piggy back riding an’ all, while guitarist Mark Bowen leapt into the crowd to sing.
Did Joe need to worry about following the “best band on the planet”? No, Idles are by far the most exciting band in the UK right now. The whole night raised £90,000 and I felt privileged to be part of it.