Jon Beavis, drummer and timekeeper for Bristol post-punks IDLES has run a mammoth 119 kilometres in aid of a charity supporting women’s safety.
Jon took up the challenge in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, raising awareness and a considerable sum for charity, Rosa. His target was to raise £1,000 but this was met on the first day of fundraising. Jon’s running challenge raised upwards of £5,500.
In light of the Reclaim The Streets movement, Jon utilised his platform to spread awareness, as well as the stories of friends. Jon chronicled his running journey on his Instagram page, often inviting female friends on his runs, who shared their own stories.
Quite the effort from Jon, especially as IDLES lyrical content promotes a fierce band of feminism and anti-fascism. Previously, the band have come under fire online by artists such as the hip hop duo Bob Vylan who criticised IDLES in an interview with NME for not being vocal enough about the BLM movement on social media. However, Jon’s mission has put IDLES under a positive spotlight again
IDLES are hot off of the release of Ultra Mono, their first ever number one album. The punk band have a mega UK and European tour in the works – IDLES are playing a number of in store gigs to promote Ultra Mono before taking collaborator and Savages front woman Jehnny Beth on tour, as the main support.
They have a massive homecoming show in the diary too, playing The Downs in Bristol at the start of September. It’s a massive headline show for the band who have jumped from success to success, from three brilliant albums up to their recent headline show at Alexandra Palace.
The Bristol band have a huge US tour on the way, as well as journeying around Europe and South America. Quite the busy schedule for the band’s live return.
