Idles + English Teacher @ MTelus▪

ENGLISH TEACHER

Cheering erupted from the crowd at the first sign of life from the stage. Everyone watched as English Teacher made their way to their instruments, quickly getting situated before diving into their set. After a synth-loaded intro, they got right into it with “The World’s Biggest Paving Slab,” which immediately caught my attention.

Their sound was clear and heavenly, with Lily Fontaine’s striking voice leading the charge. The crowd quickly found their groove, dancing along to the strong performance. It’s tough not to get into a show with Douglas Frost on drums, playing insanely well. He had several moments during the set where he built tension, then amazed the audience with impressive fills and rudiments.

Most of the tracks on English Teacher’s setlist were from their latest album, This Could Be Texas, released in 2024. The album has a vibe of controlled chaos, with plenty of synth, bass, and drums in its structure. Their passion was obvious throughout the performance, and after listening to their material, it’s clear that passion shines through the album as well.

There was a great variety of instruments used live, with nearly every member switching between two or three throughout the set. Fontaine was among them and was super charming to boot. She told the crowd it was their first time in Montreal and, being from Northern England, she appreciated our love for poutine, having eaten many “chips, cheese, and gravy” dishes herself.

English Teacher made a great impression on the Montreal crowd. The cheering that circulated the venue as they ended their set was proof of that. They did a fantastic job as the opening act, and I hope their first time in Montreal encourages them to return.

IDLES

As time passed, anticipation grew thick in MTelus. The venue was filled to the brim, completely sold out for night one of IDLES’ Montreal shows. Finally, the house lights went out, sparking loud cheers from the crowd as the beloved band walked onstage.

IDLES’ set started unexpectedly for me with “IDEA 01,” the calm introduction to their 2024 album TANGK. When lead vocalist Joseph Talbot began singing, the venue went silent as a mouse. Everyone listened intently for a good while, but that didn’t last long as the set progressed. Their second track, “Colossus,” saw the crowd’s voice grow louder and more energetic.

The energy in the room exploded. The mosh pit formed almost immediately, and IDLES encouraged the chaos. Talbot swung his microphone around, thrashing his body while singing, regularly interacting with the crowd—especially two people dressed as Mario and Luigi at the front. Lead guitarist Mark Bowen danced and swayed, playing his guitar with ease.

As their setlist went deeper, the crowd grew wilder. The mosh pit looked insane, with clothes flying and multiple people crowd-surfing at once. Even the back of the room, near the bar, was dancing. The energy was infectious, and it was impossible to resist joining in.

The light show was incredible, perfectly timed with the music and adding depth to IDLES’ already amazing set. Jon Beavis played ravenously on drums, keeping the energy high alongside bassist Adam Devonshire. Guitarists Lee Kiernan and Bowen complemented each other well, dancing all over the stage as they played.

Midway through the set, Talbot shared his gratitude for playing in Montreal, speaking briefly about how much it means to perform for fans worldwide. He explained that many of the songs that night were written when the band was in a dark place, but performing for an audience that resonates with their lyrics is cathartic.

IDLES’ setlist pulled from multiple albums, rearranged in a way that kept the crowd moving. Songs like “Mother,” “Car Crash,” and “I’m Scum” stood out, with Talbot having fun ordering the crowd to crouch to the floor. Once satisfied, he had everyone chant, “Fuck the king,” calling it the new British national anthem.

Later, Talbot took a moment to thank English Teacher for sharing the stage, calling them an incredible band and incredible human beings. IDLES’ set was long, packed with powerful moments, 24 songs in total. Talbot made sure their political stance was clear, riling the crowd up each time, especially before playing “War,” reminding everyone to focus on the injustices in Palestine.

Throughout the night, IDLES brought attention to Palestine. Before performing “Danny Nedelko,” Talbot reminded the audience of its pro-immigration message and dedicated it to those fighting against fascism and for Palestine. Bowen, as usual, performed his stunt, crawling onto the crowd and standing up while they held him.

After a powerful performance, IDLES stood together and sang a short, laughing cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Immediately after, they announced their final song of the night, “Rottweiler.” Talbot again spoke out against fascism, changing a few lyrics to “cease fire now” during the performance.

Before leaving, Bowen grabbed the mic to introduce each band member, bringing an incredible performance to a close. As the crowd poured out of MTelus, it was clear that this would be a show remembered fondly for a long time.