IST IST are 10, don’t they grow up fast! It doesn’t seem like 5 minutes ago that I first had the pleasure of hearing them live, but it’s been a while since they’ve played a Manchester venue the size of Night & Day. That’s where we are tonight, 10 years to the day that they first played here, so we’re marking the occasion. They’re like a balm for my tired soul as Adam croons “In the evenings as I lie awake” from ‘Night’s Arm’. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them, but every single time, on the first song, I fall in love all over again. Adam nearly takes out one of the ceiling speakers as he climbs the lip of the stage, riling up the crowd as he punches the air. They’re fast and punky, matching Adams energy. Andy informs us that first set was 7 songs in 20 minutes, I bet that was some 20 minutes, but there’s a lot more songs to choose from now. Tonight is a mix of old and new as you’d maybe expect from an anniversary show, and stuff like ‘Lost My Shadow’ from the latest record sits effortlessly alongside the older favourites. ‘The Kiss’ that follows it on the record does too tonight, the brooding lyrics setting a decadently dark tone. ‘Black’ really is a stunner. It’s great on record and I’m sure I’ve said this before and probably not just about IST IST, but live it’s a monster. Even more so in a room this size. The sound is perfect, they feel contained but only just. It’s like a warm familiar blanket of joyful despair enveloping your very being. It sets up ‘Discipline’ beautifully. Andy’s monolithic bass, those soaring synths. Stunning vocals and fuck me those drums are brutal, they roll and pound to perfection. The playful synths on the newer stuff really lifts their sound as they stride confidently into banger territory. I don’t do much clubbing these days, but surely IST IST fill the dancefloors. I’ll have to investigate further and report back. It’s just Adam and the keyboard as ‘A New Love Song’ unfurls. It’s hauntingly stripped back, but that slow drum machine is as menacing as anything from Sisters or NIN and when the band kick in its monumental. Adam’s definitely got more animated over the years, lashing at the air with both arms. The stage isn’t that big in Night & Day, everyone better watch out or they’re gonna get lamped. “What are you doing here? These people aren’t your friends” is the sinister call from ‘Strangers’. I can’t recall the last time I heard this live, it’s a real treat. Andy’s on backing vocals for ‘Fools Paradise’, his bright “better late than never” call ringing perfectly with Adam’s baritone “break the ice”. As much as I adore Adam’s voice (seriously one of the best out there), it’s always lovely to hear him accompanied by Andy or Joel… and who doesn’t love a singing drummer. Andy notes how hot its got in here, the condensation dripping down the streamed up windows at the front. ‘Something Has to Give’ won’t help that, it’s fast and incendiary, cranking up the heat. This isn’t a bouncy crowd to be fair, but we’re packed in and I’m definitely losing weight. Mercifully ‘I’m Not Here’ slows things down a little, but remember this is a celebration. ‘Extreme Greed’ hasn’t been on the set list of late so my heart nearly leaps out when they play it. This might be my favourite. It’s a tough call but this is right up there and it sounds as phenomenal tonight as ever. I could probably leave now and I’ll admit I’m flagging, but this renews the energy levels and puts a ridiculous smile on my face. The raw power of ‘Silence’ leads us into the break where we all look around a little shellshocked before the ominous bass wobble of ‘Wolves’ ushers in the encore. After the slow lyrical intro, it’s largely instrumental and a joy to watch all four of them untethered, letting loose, they look otherworldly, brimming with confidence. Bliss. Both ‘Emily’ and ‘Your Mine’ get the response you’d expect from old crowd favourites. Arms in the air, people singing, not that you can hear the audience really, the sound in here doesn’t really leave much space for anything other than the band. They close with ‘Ghost’, the dark electro intro sounds like something David Lynch, who passed away today would score a film with. RIP Mr Lynch. You could do much worse than have a send off with IST IST though as they once again explode in a maelstrom of euphoria. Fitting way to end a party. Here’s to the next 10 years!
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