headline sets with contrasting energies

The 2019 version of Glastonbury was the primary time that each IDLES and Fontaines D.C. had ever performed on Worthy Farm. The Bristol band lastly obtained a Park Stage slot after a decade of footslogging away, whereas the Dublin punks had been bumped up from preliminary bookings on tiny phases to interchange Sam Fender final minute on the then-John Peel Stage (now Woodsies).

These two units laid the groundwork for the pair of bands to grow to be the defining acts of the UK and Eire’s distinguished rock scene within the half decade since. It’s becoming, then, that on the primary evening of Glastonbury 2024, they return to the farm to headline two of its largest phases.

Although seeming harsh on the acts’ bountiful record of crossover followers, having their units conflict would appear a savvy thought from organisers on a crowd security stage. As it’s, IDLES play to a sizeable however roomy crowd on the Different Stage on Friday evening, whereas anybody up on the Park was fortunate to even get a have a look at Fontaines, whose crowd stretches all the way in which again to that space’s Ribbon Tower.

Whereas IDLES’ set looks like a victory lap for brand spanking new album TANGK and the 5 years of domination that adopted their Glastonbury debut, Fontaines really feel on the precipice of a vibrant new period, and this anticipation might nicely be what attracts the extra febrile and bustling crowd their manner.

Although they’ve typically been positioned collectively as bands of an identical ilk, the energies and engagement of their two frontmen couldn’t be extra totally different this night. It solely takes IDLES’ Joe Talbot a matter of moments to name for the gang to kind a wall of loss of life and shout unreserved solidarity with Palestine. Throughout the remainder of the present, an small inflatable small boat crammed with fashions of migrants surfs over the gang throughout their pro-immigration anthem ‘Danny Nedelko’. It later transpires that the vessel was designed by Banksy and the band had been unaware of the stunt till after the present had concluded. Talbot additionally introduces Glastonbury to their “new nationwide anthem” with its blunt and easy lyrical chorus: “Fuck the king.”

It’s an hour into Fontaines’ set, in the meantime, earlier than Grian Chatten mumbles a easy “how are ya?” in between songs of introspection and moodiness. There’s vitality and depth to Chatten and his bandmates’ efficiency, however by no means posturing. Whereas IDLES end their set on the aforementioned ‘Danny Nedelko’ and the heavyweight ‘Rottweiler’, Fontaines play their hottest hits – ‘Boys within the Higher Land’ and ‘I Love You’ – earlier than the shut, ending as a substitute on ‘Favorite’ and ‘Starburster’ from upcoming fourth album, ROMANCE.

These two songs – the previous a breezy and melodic indie anthem, the latter a neon-splattered industrial hammer-blow – level the way in which forwards for a band on the cusp of even larger issues, on an evening that signalled the continued rule of those homegrown rock heavyweights.

You may test again right here for all of Rolling Stone UK’s Glastonbury content material over the weekend.