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Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
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Idlewild
Wednesday 11 June @ 15:29:52 |
 by Celeste Tabora
Upon hearing repeatedly that the Scottish rock band Idlewild put on an invigorating live show and that their songs owned power and vigor, I was elated to see them play at New York City’s Irving Plaza. The venue was packed with a wide array of scenesters, from Dolce & Gabbana-clad fashionistas to those holding on to the good ol’ grunge days of the early ’90s. New York locals The French Kicks had just cleared the stage. The majority of the crowd was facing the stage, anxiously anticipating the arrival of the band, for the moment when their chatter about the boys’ good looks would be overwhelmed by Idlewild’s heavy-hitting pop-rock sound.
It seemed to be a while before the lights came on, finally Idlewild trotted onstage and immediately leaped full on into their set. Power chords and steady drumming filled the air. The band performed in a confident and striking manner, impressing the usually snobbish New York crowd. There was no doubt in my mind that Idlewild was a band accustomed to crowd-pleasing. I came away pleased and affected. Idlewild rocks.
Idlewild formed across the Atlantic in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was late in 1995 when singer Roddy Woomble, guitarist Rod Jones, bass player Phil Scanlon and drummer Colin Newton embarked on a steady touring schedule for a year preceding the release of their debut single “Queen of the Troubled Teens” on the Human Condition label in 1997.
The single caught Radio One DJ Steve Lamacq’s attention, which in turn gained the band acceptance from the media. The resultant buzz landed the band a deal with the Fierce Panda record label, who then released “Chandelier,”—the first single to feature new bass player Bob Fairfoull.
With interest in Idlewild growing, a mini-album, Captain, was released on the Deceptive label in 1998. Word continued to spread about their energetic and motion-filled live shows and the band soon signed with the Food label. Hope Is Important, their major-label debut, was released in late October ’98. Their follow-up, 100 Broken Windows, was released in 2001 and had the band crossing the frigid Atlantic waters to tour in the United States that spring. And last year, Idlewild released their latest, The Remote Part. In the midst of touring Europe in ’02 Fairfoull was asked to leave the band, and their guitar tech Alex Grant stepped up to fill his shoes for the rest of that tour. Gavin Fox was eventually added in as a permanent bassist, and Allan Stewart joined in on guitar.
The American release of The Remote Part was actually in March of this year. By that time, the band was more solid than ever, showing increased wisdom in their musical decisions and grace in their stage presence. Inspired by Scottish life and American literature, these young men mask their conflicted emotions with a tough punk exterior at times. Gone are the grunge-tinged songs of Idlewild’s past, but not the spirit and energy of that genre. From the catchy chorus of “You Held the World in Your Arms” to the swaying melodic nature of “Live in a Hiding Place” you’ll hear the band’s confidence within their songwriting abilities. Their defining track, “American English” (which was a big hit in Europe), encompasses Idlewild’s goal of mixing sharp wit with sleek rock. Singer Woomble owns a convincingly beautiful voice that will make you believe every drop of the song’s lyrical content is the whole truth and nothing but.
On a U.S. Tour with Pearl Jam, the band is staking their own claim on the spirit of rock and roll once again here in The States. Currently, they’re filling their ears with Neko Case, CAN, Arab Strap, Delgados and Converge. You, on the other hand, should be filling your ears with Idlewild. As they’re saying in Scotland, this band really kicks!
Idlewild performs as the opening act for Pearl Jam on Mon., June 16, at the Xcel Energy Center. 7:30 p.m. $36.50. All-Ages. 199 West Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. 651-265-4800.
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