For many attendees, being inside a packed House of Blues again was a combination of surreal and exciting, but they couldn’t have asked for a better bill than IDLES and Gustaf. Both bands have a reputation for fun and energetic shows, and after the night’s show, the audience could confidently say that those expectations were met.

While COVID forced many bands to miss or delay a tour in celebration of a new release, Gustaf’s debut LP, Audio Drag For Ego Slobs, came out just weeks before this show. Riding the energy of their new release, Gustaf brought the venue to life with catchy songs like “Liquid Frown” and “Dog.” They topped off the set with a special guest appearance by front person Lydia Gammill’s father, who sang backing vocals on the song “Happy.”

IDLES followed up with a spirited performance of their own, setting the tone for the night with 2018’s “Colossus.” The room immediately grew considerably more rowdy, as band members and attendees alike began crowd surfing. Following Gustaf’s lead, IDLES brought a guest vocalist of their own on stage in the form of an enthusiastic 12-year-old fan, who joined the band for “Danny Nedelko.” Songs from Ultra Mono, Joy as an Act of Resistance, and BRUTALISM all appeared in the set, with some songs from Ultra Mono making their live debuts since the release occurred during lockdown. The audience’s energy didn’t subside until the lights came back up, revealing the chaotic results of the night: a broken guitar, a dismantled cymbal, and all of the members from both bands waving goodbye.