Returning to the legendary ballroom 25 years after they first headlined, Idlewild’s performance was a triumphant climax to a stellar year for the band.

The band’s fondness for the moment was clearly visible as they took to the stage with big smiles, opening with Roseability. 

Their live sound is as good as it’s ever been. The current lineup of the band with the rhythm section of Andrew Mitchell on bass and Colin Newton on drums is solid and deep, allowing guitarists Allan Stewart and Rod Jones to create a gnarly melodic thrash on top. The addition of keyboards from Luciano Rossi in this latest incarnation of the band adds extra sonic depth whilst the  powerful voice of Roddy Woomble remains the ever constant.

The setlist seemed eager to please with the majority of cuts from the fan favourite eras of 100 Broken Windows and The Remote Part. Songs from the new record slotted in nicely as the band cranked out hit after hit. The reaction from the crowd was ecstatic, particularly during the fierce encore of Everyone Says You’re So Fragile, A Modern Way of Letting Go, A Film for the Future and In Remote Part/Scottish Fiction. 

For a band that has been slightly overlooked in recent years this was a victorious return – a perfect blend of nostalgia and new ideas.

Words by Gary Sargenson

Images: Barry Carson