IDLES have announced a special hometown show in aid of War Child, with 86TVs, comedian Stewart Lee and more serving as support. Find all the details below.
The band are due to headline the O2 Academy in Bristol next Saturday (August 24), following their appearance at Victorious Festival the previous day (23).
Crosstown Concerts, Friendly Records and War Child UK have teamed up to host the fundraising gig, which will include a live performance from 86TVs and Zalizo (ЗАЛІЗО in Ukrainian, meaning Iron/Metal), as well as a DJ set from Bristol native Boca 45.
Acclaimed comedian Lee is set to host the one-off evening of music.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am BST tomorrow (Friday August 16), priced at £50. You’ll be able to buy yours here.
At the show, fans can enter a raffle draw to win some “one-of-a-kind prizes”. Tickets for this will cost £5, with all funds raised going to War Child. There will also be some limited-edition merchandise for sale.
Rich Clarke, Head of War Child Records, said: “War Child is hugely grateful to the artist community for coming together to create this amazing night of live music at O2 Academy Bristol.
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“So many people have donated their time and energy to bring this show together and help War Child stand up for the rights of children affected by war. We deliver life-changing services and support in communities affected by conflicts to keep children safe and help them to heal and learn for the chance of a better future.”
He continued: “The impact of the situations will affect an entire generation and there will be acutely vulnerable children who need our help to stay safe. The money raised by this gig will make sure that we can respond quickly to children who need that support right now.”
IDLES’ upcoming Bristol show is billed as “more than just a concert, this celebration of music is a powerful statement of solidarity”.
The band released their fifth and latest studio album, ‘Tangk’, in February. In a four-star review, NME described the record as “an adventure into pastures new”.
Earlier this summer, IDLES headlined the Other Stage at Glastonbury 2024. NME gave the set a full five stars, calling it “a truly incendiary show” and “a claim to headline the Pyramid in the future”.
Ahead of the slot, frontman Joe Talbot spoke to NME about the group’s “ascension” and whether they could one day top the bill at Worthy Farm.
“We will headline the Pyramid Stage at the appropriate time, when we can fill the field with people that like and know our songs. That ain’t yet,” he explained.
“We’re capable of doing a show better than a lot of headliners, I think. But we’re not there yet. It’s about bums in seats, we’re not fucking dumb. But we are good.”