WORDS AND IMAGES PAUL EVANS
Ist Ist’s ability to blend beauty and brutality, light and dark, makes for a truly unforgettable experience tonight.
As a crisp autumn night envelopes Manchester Ist Ist, a band who have gained attention for their dark, moody and brooding sound are about to make their much-anticipated live return to their hometown. Paired with deep, resonant vocals, the icy and intense Ist Ist sound creates a powerful combination which taps into the melancholic atmosphere that Manchester’s legacy imparts. Often drawing comparisons to Joy Division, Echo & The Bunnymen and Interpol, the band don’t fall into the trap of being merely derivative. With their driving basslines, shimmering guitars and lyrical depth they maintain a fresh sound which is distinctly their own and with the historic New Century Hall as their backdrop this should be a homecoming to remember for a long time.
The packed crowd are in a sea of black and as the band emerge from the shadows into the blue light, greet the band with huge roars of approval. “Lost My Shadow” immediately sets the tone for the night with its haunting intro and deep, mournful vocals creating a haunting, sonic landscape that reverberates across the hall. The tight rhythm section guiding the song as if the instruments themselves are pulling the crowd through a dense fog of emotion. As the first notes drop you can feel the weight of the lyrics “I’ve lost my shadow, no light to follow” sinking in. It’s as though Adam is speaking directly to the crowd’s own experiences of loss and confusion and the song showcases the band’s amazing ability to balance emotional depth with cold, minimalist arrangements to create a soundscape that is both expansive and intimate.
“The Kiss”, a further track from latest album A Bigger Fire follows. It’s a song that brings an evocative romanticism into the setlist with the chemistry between band members unmistakeable as Joel Kay’s guitar shimmers over Andy Keating’s rumbling, steady bassline. There’s a tension between light and dark within the song’s progression mirroring the themes of unfulfilled love I hear in the words. The crowds undivided attention seems focused on the poetic interplay between the instruments and Houghton’s striking baritone croon and they already seem captivated by these newer tracks, moving as one. “Stamp You Out” transforms the room into a pulsing mass of intensity, the persistent bassline nothing short of hypnotic. Each note heavy and purposeful, like a ticking bomb before the song explodes into its chorus, the energy in the room surging and it’s moments like these that showcase the band’s ability to take simple, driving beats and elevate them into something visceral and deeply affecting.
The middle part of the set provides some of the night’s most haunting and surreal moments. “Mary in the Black and White Room” plunges the audience into a hypnotic trance, with Joel Kay’s guitar swirling around the synths like shadows chasing light. The song feels like a fever dream, unfolding slowly, but with purpose, as Adam’s words sketch an eerie narrative of memory, isolation and disconnection. The stage lights flash in sync with the throbbing bass, casting long shadows across the band members. It’s a dramatic, cinematic moment that showcases Ist Ist’s ability to also blend visual and sonic storytelling. “Something Else” and “Discipline” follow in quick succession keeping the energy in the room taut and electric. The former, with its captivating hooks and sharp lyrics, provides a burst of immediacy, while the latter digs deeper into the band’s post-punk roots. “Discipline” stands out as one of the most intense moments of the set, its steady drumbeat providing an almost militaristic drive as the song’s tension builds to an explosive release.
The frenetic pace of the drums and the tight, angular guitars of “It Stops Where It Starts” makes for another standout moment, whipping the audience into a frenzy. The song’s anthemic quality undeniable, with the crowd shouting along to the defiant chorus. It’s a rallying cry, a declaration of self-determination in the face of despair. “The Waves” and “What I Know” complete the main set, with the former’s soaring melody providing a moment of uplift and the latter’s raw intensity bringing the set to a close with a bang. The audience on their feet, clamouring for more.
Fan favourite “Emily” has the crowd singing along from the first note. The song’s infectious energy and catchy melody making it the perfect choice to kick off the encore, the audience dancing and shouting along to every word. “Nothing More Nothing Less” follows, its introspective lyrics and haunting melody providing a moment of reflection before the band launch into “You’re Mine” blending beauty and brutality in equal measure. The band’s tight musicianship and Houghton’s commanding vocals making for a powerful performance that leaves the crowd breathless.
Ist Ist’s ability to blend beauty and brutality, light and dark, makes for a truly unforgettable experience tonight. Their musicianship, combined with their commanding stage presence, has created a sense of intimacy and connection that resonates deeply with a crowd and their reputation as one of the best bands around has been further enhanced by tonight’s mind-blowing performance.
IST IST are:
Adam Houghton (vocals, guitar)
Andy Keating (bass)
Mat Peters (guitar, synthesizers)
Joel Kay (drums).
SETLIST:
1/ Lost My Shadow
2/ The Kiss
3/ Stamp You Out
4/ I Can’t Wait for You
5/ Black
6/ Mary in the Black and White Room
7/ Something Else
8/ Discipline
9/ Night’s Arm
10/ It Stops Where It Starts
11/ XXX
12/ Fool’s Paradise
13/ Repercussions
14/ Dreams Aren’t Enough
15/ Something Has to Give
16/ The Waves
17/ What I Know
18/ Trapdoors
Encore
19/ Emily
20/ Nothing More Nothing Less
21/ Hope to Love Again
22/ You’re Mine
23/ Ghost
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I’ve loved music since forever. Graphic designer, photographer and artist at painted.papillon.smile (www.ppsdesign.co.uk)