WORDS AND IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA
Interpol‘s celebration of the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Antics reached Manchester’s O2 Apollo on November 2nd, delivering an unforgettable night for both long-time fans and newcomers alike. As part of a broader series of gigs spanning the US and Europe, this stop in Manchester was especially charged with nostalgia, atmosphere, and, of course, post-punk brilliance.
The evening began with Newcastle, Australia’s Dust, a five-piece band serving as the support act for all of Interpol’s UK dates on this tour. Their performance, drawn largely from their debut album Et Cetera, Etc, was met with enthusiasm from the crowd, with heads nodding and cheers echoing around the venue. Despite the stage being shrouded in dense mist and dim lighting—so much so that even experienced photographers would have had difficulty capturing the band—Dust’s performance shone through the haze. They wrapped up their set with a humble and appreciative sign-off: “It’s a pleasure to be here, thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Interpol’s entrance was equally enigmatic, as they opened with the stage hidden behind a large curtain, playing the first song from Antics as silhouettes. However, there was a brief technical hiccup when the curtain got stuck halfway during the second track, leaving some band members obscured for a little longer than planned. But once the full reveal happened, the crowd erupted in cheers, setting the tone for the rest of the night. Known for their minimalistic stage presence and preference for backlit setups, the band let their music do most of the talking—fitting for an anniversary dedicated to such a pivotal album.
The set was filled with the brooding, angular guitar riffs and deep, haunting vocals that have made Interpol a cornerstone of the post-punk revival. The audience quickly became part of the performance, singing along to fan-favorite tracks like “Evil” and letting themselves be transported back to the early 2000s. Despite the band’s reticence to engage in much on-stage banter, frontman Paul Banks finally greeted the crowd about a third of the way through, introducing the band and acknowledging the significance of the tour.
After a tight 45-minute set covering Antics in full, the stage went dark, leaving the crowd in suspense. When the band returned for their encore, they treated the audience to what felt like an entire second concert, playing an impressive 10 tracks from across their broader discography. This extended encore is where the crowd truly came alive, with fans on their feet, cheering, and dancing to every beat. Some even abandoned their balcony seats to engage in impromptu air guitar sessions, mimicking the band’s signature wide-legged stance.
As the night drew to a close, Paul took a moment to thank the audience for coming out and making the night a special one. “It’s good to be back,” he said, sharing his appreciation not only for the crowd but also for the opening act, Dust. It was a night that marked not only the celebration of Antics, but also the enduring connection between Interpol and their fans, proving that two decades on, their music still resonates deeply.
SET LIST
1/ NEXT EXIT
2/ EVIL
3/ NARC
4/ TAKE YOU ON A CRUISE
5/ SLOW HANDS
6/ NOT EVEN JAIL
7/ PUBLIC PERVERT
8/ C’MERE
9/ LENGTH OF LOVE
10/ A TIME TO BE SMALL
ENCORE
11/ REST MY CHEMISTRY
12/ PIONEER TO THE FALLS
13/ NO I IN THREESOME
14/ THE ROVER
15/ ROLAND
16/ PACE IS THE TRICK
17/ MY DESIRE
18/ ALL THE RAGE BACK HOME
19/ OBSTACLE 1
20/ PDA
FOLLOW INTERPOL
FOLLOW DUST
