IST IST, Night & Day, 5th August 2021

I find myself in an odd place with this band. IST IST were the exciting new prospect before lockdown. Building a loyal following on the back of their stunning debut. They’re technically still new, but this prolonged pause has shifted my perception of them slightly to a more established outfit. I guess that goes for a lot of bands right now, but it seems to resonate more for IST IST, at least for me. I’ve missed this band playing live is what I’m getting at, but tonight they’re back! Playing a BBC Introducing slot… y’see what I mean, they seem trapped in that in between place. They are quite rightly top of the bill though. So before we get to them we get Julia Bardo and The Goa Express. Bardo was part of the original Working Mens Club line up before they spun off in a radically different direction. I did like that first line up, but Bardo seems to have defaulted to 90s indie, not entirely a bad thing, it’s a bit Sleeper meets Dandy Warhol’s to bring them a touch more up to date, but I struggle to get into it. Goa are a different prospect altogether. Sharper, faster, poppier, punkier, better. Still tons of melody too though and there’s plenty to bounce around to in an increasingly hot Night & Day, but it’s the faster stuff that works for me. I’m here for IST IST though who in an instant make Night & Day slaves to their dark menacing sound. When you’ve a voice like Adam Houghton you’re pretty much nailed on to front a band like this. I’m sure there’s earth worms all over Manchester writhing about to his deep baritone, asking each other “What the hell is this” and responding “No idea but it’s fucking brilliant”. I’m with em, it is brilliant. He’s in fine voice and the band respond beautifully. It could be argued that this sound plays better in Manchester than any other city, it does embody the dark underbelly of grey streets, concrete buildings and atmospheric skies. But it’s not confined at all, in fact IST IST’s sound is the epitome of epic. Night & Day really feels far too small for them, but it’s a treat to watch them in here. I think I’d forgotten just how great they are. 10 songs later there’s no mistaking this is one of the most exciting bands in the city and best in the country. Still exciting and even better post lockdown or as I told them as I bumped into them after “Fucking brilliant lads!”.