Idlewild

T in the Park 2000 review

A home fixture for Idlewild was always going to generate strong interest but this mid afternoon Sunday fixture beat expectations. No need to convert anyone here just a chance to have a ball and that we did.

Whilst Idlewild may not be as energetic on stage as they used to they are still capable of psyching up an audience with their brand of Brit-punk and indie sounds. Roddy Woomble arrives dressed politely in shirt and frock coat and is in no time bombarded by various missiles from the crowd, "there's a lot of shrapnel up here" he shouts after the first track Four People Do Good. In no time the moshpit is going crazy, steam rising visibly from the crowd. Bob Fairfoul, the bassist is quickly up to his usual antics, head-banging and jumping around the stage.

A combination of tracks from the back catalogue; I am a message, Satan Polaroid are mixed in with tracks from the recent Broken Windows album; Little Discourage, These Wooden Ideas, Idea Track, Roseability. "Go on Roddy" is screamed by the audience as he takes off his frock coat and jumps down from the stage towards the audience, only his microphone lead won't let him go any further so he gesticulates in front of the cameras.

The set climaxes with a lengthened version of Captain, Bob throwing his guitar to the floor, thumping and stamping on it. The crowd love it, "f**king brilliant" says someone behind me. For all the attempts to pigeon hole Idlewild with Nirvana and other comparisons they have a strong identity and fanatical following in Scotland which was all evident today, and on the basis of this performance is fully justified.