Jamie T, Finsbury Park - 30th June

It’s taken a while – for reasons most likely his own (having recently expressed his notable disillusionment with the music industry) – but nearly 20 years into his career, Jamie T finally plays a massive outdoor show. Or, in his own words, ‘This is the first time we’ve played in the dark’.

Beforehand a stellar support bill of Willie J Healey, Hak Baker, Biig Piig, Kojey Radical and IDLES set the scene. In many ways IDLES and Jamie T are comfortable bedfellows; despite the decade-long difference between their debut albums both are pioneers of a game-changing sound, much-imitated but never bettered.

Their first show of 2023 on home soil (and apparently the only one), the Bristol quintet have been slaying crowds across the world, picking up a Grammy nomination along the way.

Fortunately the experiences have not dulled their potency, although it has perhaps taught them a trick or two. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, Joe Talbot and co take their time luring the crowd into the set, with a slow burning (then briefly raucous) ‘Colossus’ and ‘Car Crash’ before the stakes are raised for single ‘Mr. Motivator’, the first song much of the crowd recognise.

https://www.live4ever.uk.com/2023/07/review-jamie-t-idles-finsbury/

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett