Rock quintet IDLES have announced the stellar line-up of supporting acts for their 2021 ‘Ultra Mono’ UK and Ireland tour today (September 22nd). A breath of fresh air for a typically male-dominated industry, the list of support acts for the IDLES’ 2021 tour will be all-female.
Confirmed artists for the anticipated tour are singer-songwriter Anna Calvi, Welsh musician Cate Le Bon and Irish punk singer Sinead O’Brien. Other notable artists picked for the stunning ‘Ultra Mono’ line up include London-based punk trio Big Joanie, and French musician Jehnny Beth.
This decision follows IDLES facing criticism for their lack of support for female artists in the past. In a recent statement to NME, frontman Joe Talbot acknowledged that IDLES previously “did not have enough of a mix of people who are representative of the whole demographic of what we’re about.”
Talbot maintained that diversity within music is essential for the industry to break out of its systematic status-quo. Talbot stated: “To inspire young black women to be punk musicians, they need to be included in the messaging and welcomed into the culture. Hopefully, young black girls will listen to IDLES and feel welcome in our community.
IDLES continued by addressing their own white privilege, and how it has played into their careers: “As white men, we are normalised within punk culture. But we understand now and we’re re-educating ourselves – and our audience – that integration and celebration of difference is key to happiness.”
The ‘Ultra Mono’ tour will begin at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom on May 7th 2021, playing two already sold-out gigs at the beloved Glaswegian music venue. The anticipated tour will conclude on June 21st 2021, after four shows at the O2 Academy Brixton, in London.
IDLES took to Instagram today to confirm details of their 2021 tour. Posting a list of the tour dates and the supporting artists, the Model Village singers also shared a direct link for ticket purchase in their Instagram bio. Receiving over 3,000 likes and comments, the post was met with excitement from fans.
IDLES’ announcement arrives in the wake of the impending release of Ultra Mono, IDLES’ third studio album, that will follow their last album, Joy As An Act of Resistance (2019). Ultra Mono is set for arrival on Friday September 25th, and will comprise 12 tracks.
So far, IDLES have released four compelling songs form the Ultra Mono tracklist: Grounds, A Hymn, Model Village and Mr. Motivator, pulsating with punk attitude and high-energy. You can pre-order Ultra Mono here.
Dates for IDLES’ ‘Ultra Mono’ tour will go as follows:
07/05/2021 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
08/05 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
09/05 – Barrowland Ballroom – Glasgow
10/05 – O2 City Hall – Newcastle
12/05 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
13/05 – O2 Academy – Birmingham
14/05 – O2 Academy – Sheffield
16/05 – Vicar Street – Dublin
17/05 – Vicar Street – Dublin
18/05 – Vicar Street – Dublin
20/05 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
21/05 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
22/05 – O2 Victoria Warehouse – Manchester
18/06 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
19/06 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
20/06 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
21/06 – O2 Academy Brixton – London
