Monday, July 6, 2026

Live Shots: Idles tore down Fox Theater with colossal post-punk energy

The UK quintet, known for its outspoken politics and cranking metal jams, came to support new album 'TANGK'

Propulsive post-punk, metal-leaning bangers like “Danny Nedelko,” “Colossus,” and the hilarious “Never Fight a Man with a Perm”—and a raucous, unstoppable, WTF energy—landed UK quintet Idles in the pantheon of live faves of the Pandemic Era, while their socialist politics and outspoken defense of immigrants and Black and LGBTQ+ people earned them plenty of young fans Stateside. New album TANGK has been called their “Radiohead moment,” expanding their sound but keying up the almost surreal heaviness that has been teased out over five releases, including 2023 Grammy nominee Crawler. The band brought all their exhilarating upheaval to the Fox Theatre on May 10 for a sold-out show, with Detroit’s own rousing post-punk outfit Protomartyr opening.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Sponsored link
Sponsored link

Latest

In a surreal hearing, supes move to cut affordable housing requirements

Plus: A key voter on public power at a diminished Planning Commission, and a dramatic change to 'housing first' policy ... That's The Agenda for July 5-12

Under the Stars: Oakland’s Satya hits hard and deep with Kodachrome debut ‘Yellow House’

Plus: Jared Mattson and Ruban Nielson bring liminal sounds to Cafe du Nord, Wewantsounds heralds Hadley Caliman, RIP James Blood Ulmer, more.

Why are socialists winning in NYC—but not in ‘progressive’ SF?

We may not have a Mamdani—yet—but there are hints of change in recent political developments.

BIG WEEK: SF Mime Troupe, Fillmore Jazz Fest, Future of Us, Destiny Muhammad…

UGHmerica the Beautiful, World Cup at the Chapel, Sweater Funk, Limitless Film Series, Ralph's Coffee, Todd Terje, more to do!

You might also likeRELATED