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Idlewild - London, BBC Maida Vale Studios Monday 3rd April 2000 There was a competition on the Radio One web site to win tickets to see Idlewild play a session. Steve Lamacq had been banging on about the competition for days but I hadn't bothered to take a look. I eventually looked at the site at work, answered the two easy questions, and two days later had an e-mail to tell me I was going - nice! The last time I saw the 'wild was way back in August last year, when they did a warm up for the Reading Festival. A lot has happened to them since. A new album has been recorded and they seem to be starting to take a different line in the music direction. Having seen them about ten times at venues like the Garage, ULU, Oxford Point and Dingwalls this could be interesting, as on the current tour the venues are bigger. (The London leg of the tour being at The Forum). Studio 3 was the venue - about the size of King's College, after taking into account the equipment in the room. A strange atmosphere, as this is obviously not a full blown gig, not a large audience, and the somberness of the BBC hanging over us. The band still seemed to have a good time though. Roddy stood up for all of the set - no rolling around the floor - but still swallowing the mic, turning his back to the audience, and messing up his hair. Bob's still bounding and jumping, and Rod still finds time to pogo. They now have a larger, rounder sound due to having Jeremy (Peeps Into Fairyland) helping with a second guitar. The current obsession with the music press thinking that Idlewild are becoming REM is a figment of their imagination. Sure, Roddy's voice can be like Michael Stipe, if only because of the slight nasalness in the singing - but this is like MS being backed by a punk band. Even with the new songs, four of which were showcased tonight, they have lost none of that energy and vitality of old. There was a slight technical hitch in the recording, and so the guys had to play the first four songs again - no complaints from the crowd on this one!! Everyone can look forward to a good night out at the Forum next week. Me? I'll be at the Monarch to see the BEST live band in Britain - The Monsoon Bassoon. Idlewild must come second place on that night. skippy setlist: Little Discourage / A Film For The Future / I Don't Have The Map / These Wooden Ideas / I'm A Message / Idea Track / Everyone Says You're So Fragile / Actually It's Darkness / Satan Polaroid / You Don't Have The Heart / When I Argue I See Shapes / Roseability / Safe & Sound / Captain

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