After 12 years of playing together, one could be forgiven for assuming that a certain amount of complacency may have crept into the world of Edinburgh's Idlewild, who will be playing a show on October 24 at Falmouth's Princess Pavilion.
However, Idlewild seem determined to buck the regular problems that beset bands by going from strength to strength, never resting on their laurels and consistently producing material which remains fresh and never stagnates.
The band has come a long way since they first met at a student party in 1995. "I suppose we all bonded over the fact university wasn't quite all it was cracked up to be. You think it will be full of bohemians and intellectuals, and actually it's just like school but with everyone getting drunk. So you tend to stick with people you meet who are like you" says frontman Roddy Woomble.
Their latest album "Make Another World", which was released in March of this year, is one that bristles with taut melodies and keen lyrical observations, an album of stripped back rock which is brutal yet tender: "short, sharp songs that say everything they want to say very quickly, often with guitars. It's definitely a bit more savage sounding" continues Roddy.
Retaining their vitality is obviously a priority for the band, who say they would give up if they didn't feel they were still producing fresh material. "I just wouldn't do it any more" says Woomble. "But because we don't have to adapt to any trend going on, we've always been able to develop and move on, rather than settle in one sound that completely defines us. It constantly fascinates me to be in a band, to go into a space where there's nothing and leave an hour later having written a song. I've always thought that was pretty remarkable."
Historically, the band has always had radio play yet still crossed the boundaries into chaotic live shows whenever they fancied it, experiencing chart success, huge critical acclaim for recorded material and being picked for prestigious support slots with band such as Coldplay, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones and REM.
Experiencing label and band member changes as recently as 2005, the band have counted themselves lucky that, instead of signalling the downfall of a previously successful career, the changes have invigorated and refreshed the band and pushed them to new levels.
Idlewild will play at the Falmouth Princess Pavilion on October 24 with support act The Twilight Sad (over 14s only). Tickets are £16 (subject to booking fees) and are available from the venue box office on (01326) 211222, www.seetickets.com 0871 2200260 (24hr) and More Music.
For more info on the band - www.idlewild.co.uk, for this and other upcoming shows - www.sw1productions.co.uk
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