IST IST, New Century. 19th October 2024

I’ve seen IST IST many times, tonight is my 10th outing with them. This number will be dwarfed by some people here in New Century tonight, they’re the sort of band that people obsess over (positivly, not the nutjob negative way), follow around and rightly so.

First up though is the excellently named Rude Films. They deal in a dark dystopian shoegazey sound. Think Radiohead with a thing for power chords. Walls of controlled feedback build up, underpinned by some solid drumming from the lad with an impressive beard, over which the vocals soar in a beautifully lazy way. It’s a big sound, but they switch effortlessly through the quieter stuff too. I like them a lot. Local lads too. Worth keeping an eye on.

Cucumaras up next look equally comfortable on this widescreen stage. They’re a bit livelier and brimming with confidence chatting and whipping up the building crowd, “This is gonna be our next single, it’s called ‘Laughing’, you should try it it’s good for you”. It sounds confrontational written down, but trust me they’re making friends in the room. Some of the dirgier stuff loses me a bit, despite that often being a good thing for me, but they sound better the faster they go. The shouty vocals and scratchy guitars of ‘Bleachers Yard’ sound great. A bit Squid, a bit Yard Act (although that might be word association playing with me), either way they’re really good. The annoying cunt in front of me must think so, he films the entire set on his phone. Dick.

Anyway to IST IST. Through fear of repeating what I’ve said about them in the past, they’re a stunning band, especially live. It’s been nearly a year since I saw them last though and there’s a new record that they’ll dedicate half the set to, so there’s plenty to get your teeth into. It’s straight into the Light A Bigger Fire era with ‘Lost My Shadow’ as the temperature begins to increase. Layers are important in here, you’ll want to be down to as little as socially acceptable by the end. Andy looks like a relaxed Terminator in shades and leather jacket, spinning around as they soar into ‘The Kiss’. I’ve compared them to a few bands in the past, but I don’t think I’ve heard Interpol in them before, the new stuff has a brighter sound though and this is where my brain goes. Adam seems more pumped up than usual. Prowling the stage and punching the air as they tear into ‘Stamp You Out’. It’s ferocious and the energy is palpable. Joel’s vocals on ‘I Can’t Wait For You’ are bloody marvellous. It really opens up the sound as he pounds the drums and hits the higher pitched notes, counter to Adam’s baritone. ‘Black’ then teases us to that monstrous chorus. We’re only a few songs in but my head is spinning. It really doesn’t feel like a year as the familiarity of being in the room with them comes flooding back. I nearly said ‘Mary in the Black and White Room’ gave me Cure vibes (I guess I have), but enough of the comparisons. IST IST are their own band, this is their sound now and it’s fucking brilliant. The new stuff really sounds great, massive as ever, but with a renewed spring in its step. ‘Something Else’ is slow and menacing but that synth line is bloody catchy. This could fill dancefloors, certainly in goth clubs. Note to self, find the nearest goth club (if that’s still a thing, it should be). The synth is back for ‘Discipline’ as Andy’s distorted bass buzzes beautifully, while Adam stares scarily and then… talks! Adam doesn’t talk, this is definitely new. We’re getting close to their 10 year anniversary. Perhaps they’re getting reflective. An old favourite, ‘Nights Arm’ sounds deadly. The strobes are exploding around the stage. Adam now doing accompanying hand gestures. He’s whipping up the crowd again as they hit us with ‘It Stops Where It Starts’. I like new Adam. Yes the lyrics are still dark and sombre, but it doesn’t make any difference to the hundreds of people joyously bouncing around. ‘XXX’ starts slower. Mercifully. It’s hot in here. Adam bathed in spot lights, cradles the mic and grips the crowd as Mat’s keys cut through the ominous bass. It builds to an apocalyptic disco banger with Joel going full tom tom. Then it’s Andy’s turn on backing vocals for ‘Fool’s Paradise’. Much is made of the lead vocals, but I’ve got to say, everyone sounds gorgeous tonight. After Andy thanks us for getting the new record high up in the charts (charts still matter!), they hit us with ‘Repercussions’ and ‘Dreams Aren’t Enough’. These songs really do sit in the set brilliantly. I know they push out old favourites, but you’ve got to keep moving forward and this lot are clearly intent on doing so. After ‘Something Has to Give’ one bloke shouts “MORE!!” and I feel the entire room is right there with him. ‘The Waves’ marks the hour with that fantastic hook that’s snares you into the chorus. It’s monumental. I’ve a feeling that this has been an amazing tour with a set like this, but there’s a sense that Manchester is getting something extra special tonight. ‘What I Know’ is my favourite off the new record, so it’s especially pleasing to hear it live. It’s massive in the room, the bass drum is vicious and I’m here for all the little electro wobbles. In a set that’s flawless it still stands out as a moment. Adam is still animated as they close with the synth heavy ‘Trapdoors’. Directing the faithful crowd as the stage bathed in red goes nuts with the strobes kicking off the coda. “Go on then, we’ll do a few more miserable tunes for you” Adam jokes (jokes!) as they return for an encore with ‘Emily’. All these years on this still sounds magnificent and is helped by a full throated crowd joining in. There’s an embarrassment of tunes to pick from now and I was kind of hoping for ‘Extreme Greed’, but ‘Nothing More Nothing Less’ doesn’t disappoint and it’s worth it for Mat’s solo alone. ‘Hope To Love Again’ is part balearic party banger, Adam striped of guitar, stalks the stage, clawing the air with beer in hand as the band let loose. Andy seems a little taken aback as the lights come up, “Fuck me there’s so many of you”. We’re not done though, the lights drop and a frenetic ‘Your Mine’ rips through the room. It’s fast and visceral live. Totally locked in, Mat screaming “Come on” through his hair. Where do you go after that. You slow it down with ‘Ghost’. It’s, well it’s a haunting close. Sorry. It’s sublime. As are IST IST. Still incredibly getting better, they’re a band to cherish. Let’s look after them.

IST IST

Cucumaras

Rude Films