Sailor Poon / IDLES | 10.05.19 | Mohawk
It’s been several weeks since this show and I’m still in absolute awe.
A couple months ago a friend introduced me to IDLES with the song ‘Never Fight a Man with a Perm,’ and I was hooked. As I listened through Joy As an Act of Resistance, I could picture just the type of energy one of IDLES shows would have and definitely didn’t think I’d be able to witness one so soon. Their ACL Late Night show sold out pretty immediately, I’d snagged a ticket just in case I didn’t get the chance to cover the show - I knew it was not to be missed! Fortune would have it that I did get clearance for this show- so I offered the ticket I had to my friend who introduced me to the band.
Opening the show was Sailor Poon, a local Austin, all female band. I studied photography with the bassist, and I remember when she first started the band all those years ago - it was awesome to finally see them live!
I have not been to a show with this energy in way too long... and I haven’t shot a show like this without a barrier in probably years. It reminded me of just how I fell in love with live music photography - that exhilaration and challenge of capturing the energy of what’s happening before me while trying to stay on my feet while being shoved in a crowd of hundreds of people. I had bruises for about a week and I’m thankful and surprised I walked out with as many images I was proud of as I did.
IDLES has got to be one of the best live bands out there today- their energy and chemistry as a band is incredible to witness. Their message of acceptance and inclusion and love and feminism is so important and refreshing especially coming from an all male band. These guys are the real deal and I left the show a bigger fan than I already was.
