IDLES’ Joe Talbot hails Interpol as “one of the main reasons I’m in a band” at Bilbao BBK Live 2026
In partnership with Bilbao BBK Live
IDLES singer Joe Talbot hailed the influence of New Yorkers Interpol on the final day of Bilbao BBK Live 2026, declaring that the group were one of his biggest reasons for starting a band.
Speaking midway through their main stage set on Saturday (July 11), Talbot declared to the Basque Country crowd: “Thanks for making us feel so at home and so loved so far from home. It’s a dream to share a stage with one of the main reasons I’m in a band – Interpol and [Interpol’s touring member] Matt from The Walkmen. It’s a huge privilege and a fucking dream.”
Earlier that afternoon, Interpol had played the same stage, bringing the festival to a close alongside a headline performance from Spanish rapper Dellafuente, plus sets across the site from Lily Allen, HorsegiirL, Italo-disco duo Mind Enterprises and more.
IDLES opened their set with a blistering new song, ‘Levitator’ – a hint towards their forthcoming sixth LP that the group have been starting their shows with throughout the summer.
The track finds Talbot calling out “racist c**ts” before unleashing its chorus call to arms: “Violence is majestic, coming from a righteous rage/ Violence is majestic when you’re coming of age.”
Last month, guitarist Mark Bowen revealed to NME that the band were well underway with writing their “most exciting” album yet, and hinted that they were looking to go back to the sound of their earlier material for album six.
“We got back in the studio to write, and we’ve kinda gone – I don’t want to say back to basics because that’s cliche – but it’s a bit back to basics!” he told NME, speaking on the red carpet at the Ivor Novello Awards where he was nominated alongside Florence Welch for Best Song Musically and Lyrically with the title track to Florence + The Machine’s latest album ‘Everybody Scream’.
“It’s five members in a room thrashing it out on instruments. Lots of arguments, [which is great because] if it’s too nice, then it’s not sick. It’s always more sick if someone is not getting what they want!”
Bilbao BBK Live 2026 concluded its 20th anniversary year last night following a high octane weekend that featured sets from an eclectic array of international stars including David Byrne, Robbie Williams, FKA Twigs and CMAT.
Read NME’s highlights from the ground during day one and day two of the festival.
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