IST IST, Edinburgh, Sunderland & York, 1st-3rd May 25

With Danny Gig-Antics away doing his Indie thing, it was left to me to pick up the baton and write about my travels to see Ist Ist!

Kicking off in Edinburgh at the wonderful Caves venue, the band simply don’t disappoint. From the moment that baseline kicked in for Stamp You Out, we were off and running.  Ist Ist are one of these bands that transport the audience to another place. The songs are sweeping and majestic. Ist Ist  treated the audience to a magnificent set.  Highlights for me as always were Black, Silence, Emily and the jaw dropping Ghosts.  Fantastic gig and great to meet up with fellow gig amigos both old and new.

Friday morning saw a lunchtime start for the trek down to Sunderland, pit stop in Newcastle and then a short hop out to the North-East riviera, Sunderland is certainly an interesting place, and it was great to catch up with one of my Nephilim brothers, Ian.  The beer flowed and despite a few incidents with the hotel and a guests dirty protest in the hallway, my spirits weren’t dampened, and I was excited to visit a new venue The Independent. Having seen the band the night before, the bar was set very high and boy, did they deliver! A similar set list to Edinburgh, with the addition of a new song (The Echo) which slotted in seamlessly. Once again, we caught up with so many great people. What makes these gigs special for me, is seeing the pure joy on the faces of the crowd as the band brought us into their sonic world. 

Saturday arrived and it was onto York and we were heading to the Crescent Community venue. I’ve been here before and absolutely love the set-up of the Crescent. En route to York we picked up another gig amigo, Logie in the York Tap and then submerged ourselves in the wonders that York has to offer - 80’s Pop World and apple schnapps - before working our way to the venue. If Edinburgh and Sunderland were anything to go by, this was going to be epic. Stamp You Out kicked us off, it’s a great opener and the large crowd were in ecstasy. I was delighted to hear The Echo get an airing again and we were treated to another new song - Makes No Difference.

The set is phenomenal and this is a band who have developed into being a very special live act.  They are visibly enjoying the live experience, and the crowd are responding to their on-stage energy. Adam has really grown into a confident and accomplished frontman, Andy’s driving baselines are just incredible, and he definitely suited that cowboy hat! The guitars and keys from Mat are majestic and of course the sound is underpinned by Joel’s fantastic rhythm.

These boys are masters of their craft, if you get the chance go and see them live you won’t be disappointed.

SV

www.ististmusic.com