Are IDLES the hardest working band in show business? 140 shows in 2018, 119 in 2019, 48 in post-pandemic 2021, and 91 and counting so far in 2022. They’ve played DC proper six times since 2019 (seven if you count their Tiny Desk appearance) and released two albums in that time. This is a band that’s always on the move.

Their live show is still electric and they show no signs of slowing down. After seeing them absolutely destroy the Rock n Roll Hotel in 2019 I wondered how they’d do at a place as large as The Anthem. As seen at The Anthem recently, basically the only change was there were now a lot more people going bananas during the punk bit at the end of show opener “Colossus.”

The live show itself didn’t changed much, which isn’t a bad thing at all, at The Anthem on Sept. 14. Joe Talbot still prowled and stomped around, guitarist Lee Kiernan was a whirling dervish just to his left and bassist Adam Devonshire and drummer Jon Beavis held it down from the back of the stage. One thing that changed for this tour was guitarist Mark Bowen is at home with his new baby, so Tina Maynard of the band Masca was filling in for him. This was the last show is her three-week run with the band, and she filled in admirably.

Watch the official music video for “Colossus” by IDLES on YouTube:

The set was heavy on material from 2018’s Joy As An Act of Resistance with favorites “Danny Nedelko,” “I’m Scum,” “Rottweiler” and of course, “Never Fight A Man With A Perm.” Curiously, 2021’s Crawler only landed 2 songs, “Car Crash” and “The Wheel.” Perhaps it’s a sign that the band is on the move yet again.

Setlist:

Colossus
Car Crash
Mr. Motivator
Grounds
Mother
Divide and Conquer
The Beachland Ballroom
Never Fight a Man With a Perm
Crawl!
1049 Gotho
The Wheel
Television
A Hymn
War
Wizz
I’m Scum
Danny Nedelko
Rottweiler

Here are some photos of IDLES performing at The Anthem on Sept. 14, 2022. All photos copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.