LIVE REVIEW: IDLES AT LINCOLN HALL 9/14

Lincoln Hall was packed to capacity in anticipation of IDLES’ return to Chicago on September 14. The British punk band joined American post-punk opener Bambara at the sold-out venue for a high-energy explosion of glorious sing-along punk rock. As the band took the stage for their opener “Colossus” (also the first track off their new album Joy as an Act of Resistance), lead vocalist Joe Talbot paced the stage with sheer determination and focus. The anticipation swelled as the performance built, with the band continuing to layer instrumentation atop instrumentation until the entire song kicked into full gear. The full band joined in on vocals with various chants and melodies while the crowd was hooked on every word, singing and shouting along. The rest of the evening largely followed suit, as the positive energy remained in high gear while IDLES kept the crowd engaged through audience participation — including the celebration of one concertgoer’s birthday. BY JON BUKIEWICZ