IDLES return to Bristol this summer for a long-awaited homecoming like no other. Taking over Queen Square on August 1st and 2nd, the band’s only UK headline shows of 2025 promise to be a seismic celebration—not just for fans, but for the city itself. These outdoor gigs mark the first major live music events at Queen Square in over two decades, and IDLES are determined to make every second count.
Vocalist Joe Talbot described the weekend as “music we love for the people we love,” and the line-up delivers on that promise with a defiant mix of punk, electronica, and cutting-edge sounds.
Leading the charge on the Friday are SOFT PLAY, whose comeback album HEAVY JELLY has reignited their reputation for visceral, high-octane punk. They’re joined by the unstoppable Lambrini Girls, fresh from their Top 20 debut Who Let The Dogs Out—a riotous live act hailed by both Iggy Pop and Kathleen Hanna. Kicking off the day is SICARIA, whose gritty, genre-bending dubstep guarantees an unrelenting start to the weekend.
Day two brings a more eclectic edge, headlined by The Voidz, the shape-shifting project led by Julian Casablancas (The Strokes). Their latest album Like All Before You blends wild experimentation with swagger and smarts. Also on the bill are Spanish garage-rock duo Hinds, local genre-pusher Grove (whose Boiler Room set turned heads nationwide), and the globally-minded club sounds of Tash LC, founder of Club Yeke and NTS regular.
Both days will feature a rotating line-up of Bristol-based DJs, with a curated selection of local food and drink stalls adding to the festival atmosphere.
Limited tickets remain – grab yours while they last.
