Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. July 6th 2009.

Another band to make this years Summer Pops is Idlewild, with six studio albums already behind them and a recording history of over 10 years, Idlewild took the brave decision to play a city that they don’t traditionally do well in, especially when you compare the fan base nationally.

The lads from Scotland opened the set with I Don’t Have a Map from 100 Broken Windows and the bouncy In Competition for the Worst Time from the 2007 studio album Make Another World before showcasing one of the new songs from the soon to be released studio album Post Electric Blues, the very enjoyable City Hall.

Vocalist Roddy Woomble looked like he was completely at ease on stage and he received a huge cheer when he introduced the superb Roseability to the loyal audience. From there the pace hardly let up as the band stormed through the night with such songs such as Readers and Writers from the aforementioned new album and an excellent rendition of Little Discourage.

With stand in drummer John Scott, filling in for the injured Colin Newton, doing so well keeping up with the men in front of him, it was hard to believe he hardly ever plays the songs aired.

Idlewild finished off a great gig with a couple of songs from the album The Remote Part including the title track In Remote Part/ Scottish Fiction and the tremendous A Modern Way of Letting Go before coming back after a very brief break to play the encores which included American English and When I Argue I See Shapes.

It seems as though Idlewild remain an enigma, really good songs made up of catchy, intelligent lyrics and guitar work which stand out as some of the best around but a band that seems a bit off the general music goer radar. This is a shame as the gig was nothing less than excellent and those that did attend were given their more than their money’s worth.

Ian D. Hall