8 min readIDLES will be playing their only UK tour dates of 2025 in Bristol on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 August 2025. Their homecoming gig will take place in Queen Square in the city centre, with 15,000 attendees expected on each night.
Saturday is fully sold out, with just a few tickets remaining for Friday.
We've rounded up everything you need to know if you're lucky enough to have tickets to one of the gigs, from line-up information and FAQs to how else you can make the most of your time in the city.
Skip to: Getting here | Line-up | FAQs | Food and drink | Where to stay | Things to do
Getting to the venue
Queen Square is perfectly located in the heart of the city. It's just a 15 minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads station, and is located next to several bus routes and taxi ranks. There is also e-bike and e-scooter parking nearby. Attendees are encouraged to arrive on foot, by bike, or by public transport to the concerts.
- Plan your journey with Travelwest
- Public transport in Bristol
- Maps of Bristol
- Car parking and Park & Ride options
Image - Queen Square
Line-up
The Friday line-up will be headlined by IDLES, with the line-up also including:
- Electronic powerhouse Sicaria
- Ferocious punk duo Lambrini Girls
- Energetic punk-metal band Soft Play
The Saturday line-up will also be headlined by IDLES, with the following line-up:
- Experimental rock band The Voidz, featuring Julian Casablancas
- Spanish indie rock duo Hinds
- Bristol-based techno hardcore band SCALER
- Anarchic punk jungle and dancehall DJ and vocalist Grove
- Afrobeat and UK bass DJ Tash LC
Gates will open at 5pm on Friday 1 August, and at 2pm on Saturday 2 August, and the shows will finish no later than 10:30pm. Stage times will be published closer to the event.
There is strictly no readmittance to the event, so if you decide to leave, you cannot go back in.
There will be several official merchandise outlets located inside the venue.
Image - IDLES
FAQs: Know before you go
Age limit
IDLES Block Party has an age limit of 14 years old and over. Anyone 14 or over but under 16 must be accompanied by an adult ticket holder, who must remain on site as their guardian.
Cash or cards?
There will be a cashless system across all the bars at the event. Please ensure you can pay on card or with Apple / Google Pay.
Accessibility
The event will have a viewing platform, accessible toilets and lowered bar areas for guests with access needs. Tickets are available for wheelchair users or ambulant disabled guests, which include a companion ticket in the price. Please email access@communion.one if you have any questions or specific requirements.
What you can and can't bring
Only bags smaller than a piece of A4 paper are permitted on site.
No bottles, cans, containers, drinks or food can be brought into the venue. Empty plastic water bottles 500ml or less may be brought onto site and there will be water points available for free water refill. No refillable metal bottles are permitted.
No liquids, gels or lotions are permitted to be brought into the event other than sun cream, perfume and make-up, as long as it is under 100ml and in a plastic or paper receptacle. No glass containers can be brought onto the site.
Is the event indoor or outdoor?
This is a fully outdoor event, so please come prepared for the weather - we know British summertime can be unpredictable! It is recommended to bring layers and packable clothing such as waterproof coats, hats, sunglasses and sun cream. Umbrellas are not permitted. Appropriate footwear is advised.
Food and drink
The food line-up for the event is made up exclusively of Bristol-based food traders:
- Burgers and fries from Burger Theory and Holy Cow
- Poke bowls from the award-winning Loki Poke
- Chips from The Hippy Chippy
- Pizzas from Gigi's Pizza and Stone Baked
- Snacks from Indian Summer
- Caribbean-inspired wraps from Biblos
- Ramen from Mr Noodle
- Jerk chicken from Tasty Ragga
- Tacos from Gourmet Warriors
- Fish and chips from The Fish Truck
- Fried chicken from Born Sloppy
A variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options will be on offer, and all food will be served on compostable serveware. No single-use plastic will be allowed on site.
Locally-made tipples will be available from Lost and Grounded, 6 O'clock Gin and The Cider Box. If you need to bring specific food or medicine due to a pre-existing medical condition, please bring supporting medical evidence with you on the day.
Image - Burger Theory
If you're spending some time in Bristol before or after the show, you've got plenty of options to eat and drink nearby!
Bristol Cider Week is running special events and tap takeovers at bars across the city until 4 August if you want to try some West Country specialities, or King Street is next to Queen Square and is one of the city's top spots for alfresco drinks on a summer's evening. With over ten pubs and bars dotted along a short, cobbled street, including the historic Llandoger Trow, craft beer hotspot Small Bar, jazz pub The Old Duke, and cider paradise The Apple, you're sure to find a spot to take in the sunshine.
Fill up on tasty burgers from nearby Three Brothers Burgers, or tuck into wholesome small plates at The Granary (they also have a cosy cocktail bar, The Granary Club, which is open to the wee hours if you want to continue the party after the concert!)
Image - King Street
Sample some iconic Bristol bites while you're in town, from pie and mash at Pieminister on Broad Quay, to award-winning gelato from Swoon.
Take in the waterside views from No.1 Harbourside while enjoying some local beers or gins, browse the tempting food stalls at St Nicholas Market, or head to nearby Wapping Wharf to take your pick from a range of award-winning independent bars, cafes and restaurants, including Seven Lucky Gods, Junction and Lapin.
Image - No.1 Harbourside
Where to stay
If you're looking to stay overnight or make the most of your trip to Bristol and stay for a few days, you'll find some great value rooms at The Bristol Wing and Moxy Bristol in the city centre.
Coming with a few friends? Why not all chip in to stay in more spacious and flexible accommodation - Premier Suites have apartments just around the corner from Queen Square, while Mint Stays and Cleyro have stylish self-catering options just a short walk away. You can also browse a range of options on Group Accommodation.
Otherwise, you could treat yourself to a stay at one of the top hotels located close to the IDLES gig:
- The Bristol
- Doubletree by Hilton Bristol City Centre
- Radisson Blu Bristol
- Mercure Bristol Grand
- Bristol Marriott Royal
Image - Mint Stays
Things to do
Check out Bristol's iconic music scene and nightlife while you're here! Bristol has a vibrant music heritage, with being the birthplace of Trip-hop and 'The Bristol Sound' in the nineties, led by pioneering Bristol artists like Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and Roni Size. The city's buzzing gig scene has produced a range of rock, punk, folk and even sea shanty stars, including IDLES, Katy J Pearson, George Ezra and The Longest Johns. Bristol's nightlife and underground scene is also well-known for world-class clubs and DJs too.
The city is packed with much-loved indie music venues, including The Louisiana, The Fleece, Exchange, Zed Alley and Strange Brew.
Bars such as Canteen, The Gallimaufry and The Old Duke host free live music throughout the week, and you'll also find that many pubs host open mics, jam sessions and gigs. Check our live music listings to see what's on while you're here.
Image - Live music at The Gallimaufry
Make sure to stop by Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road to check out some street art (including a well-known Banksy!), indie galleries and shops, with plenty of options for great food and live music in the evening.
Old Market is also a hotspot for great food and nightlife; it's around the corner from several of Bristol's top brewery taprooms if you're a beer fan.
Image - Cycle the City
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