Idlewild announce new self-titled album Idlewild

Scottish alternative-rock veterans Idlewild will release their tenth studio album, Idlewild, on Friday 3 October 2025 via V2 Records. The group will support the record with a UK and Ireland tour, including a Manchester gig at New Century Hall in October.

The new album is their first since 2019’s Interview Music and sees the Edinburgh-formed band reflect on their storied career with new creative energy. “We’re looking back without being nostalgic,” said frontman Roddy Woomble. “We were thinking about all the songs we’d made and the new songs we were making … realising that we had a ‘sound’ and the songs we were writing should celebrate that.”

Lead single Stay Out Of Place, premiered on BBC 6 Music, sets the tone with its expansive arrangements. “Walt Whitman was right, we do contain ‘multitudes’ – there is more than one “us” in there – we’re choosing a voice from among the many voices” says frontman Roddy Woomble. “This is especially interesting in a band context, because it’s not just one voice, but five voices collaborating, over time. We arrange the world in our own order, but sometimes you’ve got to shake up expectations and forget about the instructions – I suppose that’s what I’m getting at with ‘Stay Out Of Place’. It felt like a good starting point and (re)introduction to Idlewild 2025…”

Recorded across 2024 at Post Electric Studios in Edinburgh and the Isle of Iona Library, Idlewild is produced by Rod Jones and the band. The ten-track album will be available on CD, standard black vinyl and two limited coloured LP editions. It marks their 10th studio album.

When does Idlewild release Idlewild?

Idlewild will release Idlewild on Friday 3 October 2025.

When is Idlewild headlining at New Century Hall?

Idlewild will perform at New Century Hall in Manchester on Friday 18 October 2025 as part of their autumn UK tour. The full list of confirmed UK and Ireland tour dates is: