IST IST – live in Antwerp
Antwerps Kavka Zappa becomes the latest venue for IST IST to support their Light A Bigger Fire album. Incredible to think that IST IST are already four long players deep into their career. That’s not even counting all the live releases and other peripheries. They grow up fast these days, don’t they! The boys take stage to little or no fanfare, a raised arm here, a ‘thank you’ there – then ‘click click’ off we go.
Lost My Shadow.
With a significant body of work already behind them, any IST IST set now feels like a greatest hits collection. I wasn’t keeping notes (I wasn’t even there in a work capacity) but I reckon we heard The Kiss, Stamp You Out, I Can’t Wait For You, Black, Dreams Aren’t Enough, Fool’s Paradise, Night’s Arm, XXX, Discipline It Stops Where It Start, Something Else, Repercussions, Nothing More Nothing Less, Something Has to Give, Emily, What I Know, Hope to Love Again, You’re Mine, and Ghost. It’s the greatest hits with some even left out! The set was both punchy and punctual. Everything was delivered with energy, passion and little in the way of frills. The only real audience interactions were along the lines of ‘thanks for coming’.
Earlier we had support in the form of local band Disorientations. Much like IST IST, Disorientations ply their trade in a familiar post punk landscape. Sadly, and again much like tonight’s headliners, some of their nuances were lost in Kavka Zappas soupy sound mix. It’s a pity because I detect some subtlety within their dynamics. These could easily be buried in the venues swirling soundscape. Disorientations also share some of IST ISTs somewhat gothic leanings. Neither band are full out Coldwave. Nor, thankfully, do they dress the part. (save for the occasional Bauhaus T-shirt) Where the two groups differ is that Disorientations favour power over IST ISTs more melodic leanings. On the occasions where I could make out the vocals I thought the guy sounded a lot like an Ian McCullough or an Adrian Borland. I was happy to discover them.
IST IST threw themselves into each and every song. I felt for them though.
Something held tonight back from greatness.
Was it the venue itself – a soulless, modern rectangle with boxy acoustics? Was it us, simply? The crowd? The Antwerperati – essentially a sea of baldies with only two settings, nodding and impassive. It wasn’t even really a ‘sea’ because this particular show didn’t sell out. I suspect the lack of bodies only exacerbated the disappointing sound mix. I empathised doubly so because the previous night IST IST performed in Amsterdam’s legendary Paradiso, a venue notorious for its energetic crowds. IST IST did not broach upon this, remaining professional throughout.
‘We’ve three more songs. We won’t be going off just to come back on’
Bang bang bang and it was all done and dusted. The boys lolloped off for a well-earned cup of Ovaltine and I ran to my car. Such a pity because I know they went on the Merch desk afterwards. I really like what IST IST are doing and in an ideal world would have stayed behind to tell them. Yes, it is more post-punk revival but in their hands rendered with genuine authenticity, warmth and no shortage of tunes. Much like their peers, Slow Readers Club, these guys have songs galore. They’re fun! I wanted IST IST to hear it from a fellow Brit who loved that scene first time around (the tall lanky Brit, wearing the Chameleons t-shirt to be precise – I mention this purely because I heard Swamp Thing just before they went onstage – kudos)
IST IST, you are doing really rather well.
To the ladies and gentlemen of Antwerp I will say this, gigs are a two-way street guys, and you didn’t really play your part. IST IST remain an incendiary live proposition. Tonight leant more toward a damp squib. At least the band managed to get a fire going.
A bigger one was needed.
And that’s on us.
Gig photos by official photographer Trust A Fox Photography. Good aren’t they! Shared on the bands social media – link provided below.
Find Out More – Disorientations