In February my friend Katie asked me if I wanted to go and see idlewild in concert. Her boyfriend had in previous months made a tape of one of their albums, ‘100 Broken Windows’. I had only heard one of their songs but I thought it would be fun. I love seeing live music and if nothing it would be a fun night out.

We booked the tickets, which were £12.50 excluding book free and sat down on our computers and downloaded. I found a few songs I really liked but I didn’t really feel excited.

Anyway last Saturday, 20th April; we headed off to London to the Astoria, which is near Tottenham Court Road Station. The doors opened at six and soon we were inside the Astoria sitting down waiting for the support bands and after them came Idlewild.

I was in the standing section because I believe you go to a concert to dance and you can’t do that in seating. However seating was available up the top of the hall. They might have had the best view but I think I had more fun!!!

The crowd went wild as the first song they played, which I hadn’t heard ‘Captain’ was played. Although I didn’t know the song I had great fun. The crowd was alive as people started crowd surfing and singing along, because unlike me they were real fans. I was surprised at how into the music some people were. I had never been to a soft rock concert before but don’t let the softness put you off. There was a pit at the front of the standing that I somehow ended in. I have a few bruises still, oops. Everyone was really nice in there and said sorry if they stood on your foot. I learned a valuable lesson however that jeans are not suitable clothing for a concert, as jeans and sweat don’t mix. Katie learned not to wear a skirt as well, he poor little legs were rather battered afterwards.

The stage was a nice size as it gave band room and was wide enough they could move from side to side so everyone could get a look i
n. The set really well planned. Idlewild were supporting their new album so they played two old songs and then one new one. This meant that the crowd good have a good boogie and then hear new music and recover from the wild dancing.

The performance was really good as well. The singer could sing live as could as he could on the recorded material and the rest of the band could play their instruments.

At the back of the stage there was a screen that played film through out the set to compliment the music. This varied from random photos of random people, to the waves of the ocean, to trees in a forest, Ect. This was interesting to look at if you got to see the stage and didn’t want to look at the band the whole time. I've seen this type of thing with Red Hot Chilli Peppers before and been impressed with them too.

The band was quite serious and didn’t muck about with their each other or talk to the audience. Some of the best concerts I’ve been to the band have swapped instruments and tried to play them or climbed around the stage, much to the annoyance of the security guards. I think this is a shame as although they were good live, there wasn’t this presence there that the other bands had.

There was a small break near the end, which fooled a few people that the show was over. But as with so many shows the band came back on and played a few more songs. This did however give the crowd some rest time to try and breathe.

The show finished about 9.30pm, which was nice and early for those with bed times. This made it easy to jump onto the train home and I was in by 11pm with loads of lovely memories.

Although I didn’t really know many of the songs of the band very well I can say they were good live. I don’t know if I would see them again live but I would definitely recommend them, to anyone who hasn’t seen them, next time they come round.

Sara