If you are not strong enough to handle the evidence, please don’t read any further. For everyone else, here are 10 reasons you’ll regret not going to the IDLES show at the Factory in Deep Ellum.
1. This show effing rocked. And you weren’t there. Let’s be honest, this is not the century for rock and roll. Between country and K-pop, rap and hip-hop, straight ahead rock and roll from a band under 65 years old has become an anomaly. Thursday night reminded us of the power of the genre. Rock and roll is a mythical beast, and as long as you believe, it will never die. So thanks for not showing up. Guess you hate unicorns too.2. An IDLES show is like great makeup sex.
7. This is a band that’s all about transcending politics. OK, there were some brief mentions, and we were reminded that the band is against fascism, but most of the between-song chatter was friendly, funny and encouraging. Talbot recognized his bandmates, the crowd and the small team that keeps things running on tour. He may say the same thing at every stop, but he says it with such conviction it feels as if he is talking directly to you.
8. The show started on time and ended on time. You could have been snug in your bed for the evening news, blanketed in the warm afterglow of a wonderful evening, but no, you couldn’t be bothered.9. Joe Talbot loves you, but sometimes love is a mistress to opportunity. If you don’t show up, don’t be angry if the singer goes home with somebody else.
10. Talbot sang an entire song with somebody in a Pikachu suit on his shoulders. We have redacted Tiya’s last name to protect her identity but … oh, damn it … it goes a long way to describe the kind of night this was. When you're Tiya and you work at a venue, there is a lot to do and you can get a little jaded about the performers. Not on this night.