IST IST, 33 Oldham Street. 1st February 2022

It’s Independent Venue Week. The cynical readers will roll their eyes. Do we really need a week to mark this? The answer is we need more than one. Venues are really struggling, certainly in Manchester. Not just from the Covid lockdowns, but from developers and some of the idiots that move into the city centre then complain about the noise. As is often the case, it’s the smaller venues that get hit hardest and 33 Oldham Street is certainly small. I’m sure there’s the odd exception, but most bands start in places like this and it’s a badge of honour for fans to have been there at the beginning for bands that go on to bigger spaces. There’s also the rare treat when a band that has established a bigger audience, comes back to a smaller intimate space. That’s what IST IST are doing tonight. When that synth whomp in the intro to Wolves kicks in, it’s evident how small this space is. I’m used to being in loud rooms but this sound permeates your bones. It’s not just loud, it’s clear and pristine. There’s 80 of us in here, that’s sold out and it really is a lovely space. The stage isn’t raised making it feel all the more intimate. The warm synths resonate around the room whilst the drums smash you in the chest. Adam’s vocals always stand out, it’s hard not to when you’re packing a baritone like that, but this is a group effort and everyone is magnificent. Preachers Warning leaves my ears buzzing and soul beaming. I know this is dark stuff “All those who come here, die”, but there’s just beauty in these songs. Early comparisons to Joy Division were fair, but they’ve grown beyond that now. I clear distinction with the newer songs that have a fuller often more euphoric tone. Especially when Mat gets to stretch his fingers on the keys. We’re made to wait over an hour for my new favourite Extreme Greed, but it’s worth the wait even if the bass threatens to take the speakers out. For 90 minutes we’re held in the palms of their I’m sure very sweaty hands. The heat in here has caught me off guard though. When I come back, I’ll be wearing a lot less and I will be back. Support independent venues!