It’s no surprise that for fans like Hollie, the Gang is a safe place to talk. It’s all part of the appeal for Senay Sargut, too. “I'm at the age where most of my friends have got married and had children. Discovering IDLES has been a breath of fresh air - not only do I love their music, but them as people, and everything they stand for,” she says.
One member of the AF Gang who can relate to this more than most is Paul Foot, who suffered a stroke last year. “The level of support I received from the AF Gang was overwhelming. The support in all forms from the gang is immeasurable – from cards and music through the post, to gig tickets and band merch.” He calls the group “The most beautiful place on the internet”, and on that basis, it’s pretty difficult to argue.
There aren’t too many contemporary bands with such a diverse fanbase as IDLES, as the AF Gang comprises punks and indie kids of all ages; at their gigs, you’re as likely to bump into a Red Stripe-swigging 19-year-old as you are a middle-aged history teacher.
Tracey Skarzynska’s first exposure to live music was an Angelic Upstarts gig in 1979, and forty years later she is still active in the punk scene. “I still go regularly to gigs,” she says, “and the AF Gang/IDLES community are like the ‘punk tribe’ of yesteryear. There were different styles and subcultures around, but we mainly stuck together, and watched each other's backs.”
It's apparent that, for many AF Gang members, the group itself is a bit of a throwback to punk. Hollie’s mother, Sue Dyes, is also part of the Gang. She says, “The music is reminiscent of '80s punk, and being heavily involved in that scene, it reminded me of what it’s all about… Coming from a family with an immigrant mother it has reassured me that people are still welcomed and wanted in the current political climate.”
A throwback it might be, but social media has undoubtedly made things easier. “In those days of the fan clubs it was easy to get involved by writing to a PO Box number and sending off postal orders for membership,” says Stephen Mead. “I think the internet and social media has developed on that now. It’s easier to contact bands directly and get up to date information rather than a monthly newsletter.” Tracey agrees, explaining that with the rise of social media, “We now know what is going on, and where. It's opened up so much, we are so lucky.”