Ist Ist returned home with a party for the masses this bank holiday at the Albert Hall. On the final date of the UK leg of their tour, the band were back where they should be, on stage at Albert Hall, for a monumental hometown show.
Coming down early for supports is getting less common, but if you do make time, you see some class acts like London's own The Youth Play. Bringing the vibes from the start with super strong drumbeats and bass riffs. A band that is instantly unique, with a set that really brings the energy and chaos in all the best ways, playing new songs, like 'Last Day On Earth', and 'someday, forever'. The show was also a special one for them, with Bracho's brother flying in from Mexico just for it; that emotion showed in their on-stage presence. They are a band you definitely want to check out before they headline Albert Hall themselves.
London-based post-punkers Desperate Journalist hit the stage with bass and guitar work that sync to provide an electric atmosphere; along with the powerful vocals of Jo Bevan, it makes for a stunning live experience. From slow, melodic beginnings to heavier choruses that made the whole room move, this band knows how to get a crowd warmed up. They sounded like an incredible mixture of Sonic Youth, Joy Division and The Cure. Someone in the crowd had even seen them 50 times; that alone is a good enough review of a Desperate Journalist live show.
Ist Ist came home. Playing songs like 'Lost My Shadow', with a heavy and repetitive chorus, is always an easy crowd-pleaser, with the dramatic lighting, sound and stage presence matching what fans know an Ist Ist gig to be - this was a homecoming and a half. 'The Kiss' easily holds its own in contention for best live Ist Ist song, with bass riffs really making this song stand out.
Lead singer Adam Houghton dedicated 'Black' to his special lady, showing the passion they put into not only writing their tunes but performing them too, with one of the best instrumental endings you will hear. It was a show drowning in emotion, being surrounded by friends, family and fans alike, all with one purpose - to celebrate the talent of such an immense band.
Ist Ist audiences come back time and time again, and 'Makes No Difference' from their latest album 'DAGGER' shows exactly why. Its strong drum beat formed the backbone of the song. They really were giving Manchester a special treat, also playing 'Dreams Aren't Enough'. With a seamless set, there wasn't a head in the crowd that wasn't bobbing to the melodic heaviness of the band, and fan favourites had people knowing the song after only a few beats.
It's a full-circle moment as they went into earlier tunes like 'Emily', the perfect concoction of guitar and bass. With bassist Andy Keating stopping to say how wild and special it feels to have gone from playing that song at Soup Kitchen and Night & Day all the way to the Albert Hall.
This band's magnetic tunes radiated from the barrier to the top of the balcony. Slowing it down once again with 'Under Your Skin', as drums and synth worked synonymously to create a beautiful post-punk melody. When an audience is filled with parents and children, it shows the versatility of a band to not just be supported by the same people but to constantly create new fans with new music and incredible live shows.
Bringing the vibe back up, telling the crowd "Manchester, get ready to dance again", they were not wrong to play 'Hope To Love Again' with its melodic chorus leading into a punchy and energetic interlude, and Ist Ist classic 'You're Mine' helped get people moving until the bitter end.
Music really is to blame for the atmosphere in that room, with the closing tune 'Stamp You Out' ending the night with a bang.
Francesca Wood
Images: Ailish O'Leary Austin