Just three years ago, Idlewild celebrated the 20th anniversary of their most successful album, The Remote Part. Hearing that LP performed in full brought a wave of halcyon nostalgia to fans who have followed the Scottish band since their 1995 debut.
Yet that tour also reminded everyone that Idlewild are far more than a single classic album — mixing in B-sides like “A Distant History,” early cuts from Captain, and tracks from their ninth LP, Interview Music, with effortless conviction. Now, as the band turns 30 and releases their self-titled tenth album — hailed as “confident, certain, and brilliantly alive” — the time felt right to take the celebration back on the road.
Opening the night at KOKO were Glaswegian newcomers Humour, whose set balanced existential dread, dry wit, and rainy-day melodies in equal measure. Then, with nothing but the new album artwork as a backdrop, Idlewild took to the stage — launching straight into the kinetic, commanding “Roseability.”
From the first chords, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd — many now well into middle age — threw themselves into mosh pits and head-banging with teenage abandon. The energy peaked early with a euphoric rendition of “You Held the World in Your Arms,” but the newer material held its own. “Like I Had Before” pulsed with the kind of anthemic energy reminiscent of Stereophonics’ “Dakota,” while “Stay Out of Place” — raw, catchy, and deeply moving — had Roddy Woomble reflecting on time, purpose, and the comfort of knowing “we were here for a while.”
Elsewhere, “Make It Happen” roared with urgency, while “I Wish I Wrote It Down” bathed KOKO in melodic beauty. The set balanced poignancy with power, transitioning seamlessly into fan favourites like “A Ghost in the Arcade” from Make Another World and “Love Steals Us From Loneliness” from Warnings/Promises — a perfect closer before the encore.
Throughout the night, the six-piece band were anything but statuesque. Guitarists and bassists prowled the stage with youthful energy, while the crowd matched them — shouting, singing, and jumping in unison. The communal chant of “You shed a shade of shyness” from 100 Broken Windows became one of the evening’s most heartfelt moments, a fitting salute to 30 years of shared history.
Naturally, the Remote Part staples were met with rapturous applause. The band wisely spaced them across the set, keeping the momentum fresh. Guest guitarist Murray Macleod (The Xcerts) joined for a rousing finale of “In Remote Part / Scottish Fiction,” ending the show with both triumph and reflection.
After three decades, Idlewild can proudly say they’ve not only been here for a while — they’re still here, still vital, and still loved. Judging by the response in KOKO tonight, fans will want them around for a while longer yet.
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