IST IST / Albert Hall / Manchester

May 5

May 5 IST IST / Albert Hall / Manchester

It’s no secret, that here at LiveWire Music, we’re big fans of IST IST. In fact their debut album “Architecture” was one of the first we ever reviewed, and in fact we’ve reviewed every studio album since. We’ve seen them live a number of times here in Nottingham at The Bodega and then at the Rescue Rooms. I couldn’t make the Rescue Rooms date on this tour due to other commitments, but as the “Dagger” 2026 UK tour drew to a close, I couldn’t miss the chance to see them at their ‘homecoming’ show at Manchester’s magnificent Albert Hall. This is by fart eh largest venue I’ve seen them perform at with something, like 1,500 expected tonight. Bring it on !

Manchester’s Albert Hall, looks so innocuous from the street, what appears to be a door at the end of a restaurant, with an old school bulb covered curved theatre style canopy above it. But once you enter and climb to the stairs to the main room…. Wow !

Built in 1908 as a Methodist central hall its now a Grade II listed building. The main floor was used as a nightclub from 1999 to 2011, and the second floor, the Chapel Hall, has been unused since 1969, but was renovated and re-opened in 2014 as a music venue. With it’s striking balcony round three sides it’s an impressive space, and just perfect for tonight’s show.

First up in support are The Youth Play, from London who are Diego Bracho (vocals), Harrison Ballard (guitar), Alex Hanrahan (bass), and Finley Bruce (drums). Formed while at college, they deliver a mix of Shoegaze, Indie and Post-Punk creating a diverse and melodic sound with socio-political lyrics, often exploring themes of migration and climate change. They’ve released two EP’s to date, 2023’s “Wild Flowers” and 2025’s “Someday Forever”, and have toured with the likes of October Drift (one of my favourite bands).

It was great to see a young, up and coming band given a chance on such a large stage, and they grasped the occasion with both hands, delivering a solid set, packed with energy. Singer Diego Bracho shows no nervousness and chats effortlessly with the crowd between songs. Perhaps my highlight track is Last Day On Earth, which he introduces and dedicates to his brother, who has travelled all the way from Mexico to be here tonight !

There’s a great mix of material in the set, and it’s well paced from slower mellow numbers to the more energetic A Fair Life. The Manchester crowd really take to them, and as they say their thank you’s and depart they receive loud applause and cheers.

The Youth Play are on the rise, and a band to watch out for.

Setlist

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Next up are London based Desperate Journalist, who are Jo Bevan (vocals), Simon Drowner (bass), Rob Hardy (guitar) and Caroline "Caz" Helbert (drums). Formed in 2012 they released their self-titled debut in 2015. Their fifth and most recent album “No Hero” coming out in 2024.

Desperate Journalist deliver an energy packed set. Several fans present had told me that Desperate Journalist were something special, and they weren’t wrong. The crowd were singing along and loving every moment. Having been together for well over a decade, the connection was clear to see, with a tight set, delivered perfectly. Caz Herbert on drums delivering infectious rhythms that lie at the heart and soul of their sound, while Rob rips out some killer riffs creating melodies you can’t help but move to.

Jo Bevan on vocals reaches out from the stage with her voice and fills the Albert Hall, with her impressive range and clear tone. I loved her vocals on Hollow from 2017’s “Grow Up” where the crisp guitar notes from Rob have a Slow Readers Club edge to them. Magnificent stuff. On the final track Satellite from 2019’s “In Search of the Miraculous” everything comes together, building in emotion and energy throughout, reaching a joyous crescendo, that has the audience bouncing.

A fabulous set, packed with vitality a great foil for what’s to come and a band I’ll definitely be checking out again.

Setlist

Fault

Cristina

Cedars

Everything You Wanted

Hollow

20th Century Women

No Hero

Personality Girlfriend

Satellite

A break to re-set the stage, and test the tuning and it’s time for tonight’s homecoming headliners IST IST. Formed in Manchester back in 2014 IST IST are Adam Houghton (vocals & guitar), Mat Peters (guitar & synth), Andy Keating (bass), and Joel Kay (drums).

They built a devout following on the Manchester live scene, playing at iconic venues such as Gorilla and the Deaf Institute. Having released two EP’s 2018’s “Spinning Rooms” and 2019’s “Different Now”, they released their debut album “Architecture” in 2020. With each album, “The Art of Lying” (2021), “Protagonists” (2023), “Light a Bigger Fire” (2024) and their most recent release “Dagger” (2026) they have continued to explore and experiment, refining their sound, which delivers pounding drums, a prominent and dirty sounding bass, backing up those oh so delicious and rich baritone vocals from Adam.

Still relentlessly touring, IST IST are at their best live.

The venue lights dim and the stage lights turn blue as Mat, Andy and Joel take their places, then Adam emerges to huge applause. They open the set with Encouragement from 2026’s “Dagger” and straight away the crowd are hooked. It’s classic IST IST, drums heavy, bass rich and filthy (in an ever so good way) and Mat’s synth tones drift around the room. Adam’s vocals bellow out and resonate around the hall. I’ve seem IST IST a number of times, and I’ve loved watching their live show evolve. Initially, Adam was very static, and would stand at the mic and deliver his impressive riffs and vocals, but tonight, we see the new, confident and very expressive Adam perform. Waving his arms, encouraging the crowd to sing along, jumping and delivering a physically powerful performance. It feels IST IST have grown not just on their sound, but in confidence…. And I love it !

As they dive into Warning Signs (Also from “Dagger) Andy speaks to the crowd, ‘Manchester it’s been a long time’ and the crowd roar welcoming home their heroes.

The energy levels don’t drop as the riffs circle round the rafters and the bass pounds at our hearts.

Although the new album features extensively, there’s a great mix of classics and less known tracks from their back catalogue too. Lost My Shadow the opening track on 2024’s “Light A Bigger Fire” gets a huge reception and is crisp and as powerful as ever. As on the album, it’s followed by The Kiss a more delicate number, but still with that iconic bass tone ringing through it, and some wonderful atmospheric synth tones from Mat.

On eof my highlights had to be The Echo from “Dagger” with it’s rich tones and energy, the drums are tight and deliver a raw punch alongside some striking riffs from Adam. It resonates round the room and in the pulsing chorus sections, the crowd are nodding along and moving, the energy just drifting out off the stage….

It was great to hear one of my favourite IST IST tracks tonight, the beautiful Mary in the Black and White Room taken from 2023’s “Protagonists” . While their sound is dominated by the bass and drums, here the more delicate synth tones are allowed to take centre stage and deliver something quite special – a more delicate moment, an intimate one.

A New Love Song takes us back to their 2020 debut album “Architecture” with it’s more sparce, synth laden industrial feel and delivered with Adam’s iconic baritone it’s dark and edgy as hell. Slow, intimate and eerie in equal measure. The main set draws to a close with Hope to Love Again from 2024’s “Light A Bigger Fire”, perhaps one of their catchiest tracks, with an almost pop-sensibility to it, followed by You're Mine from “Arcitecture” my all time favourite track. It’s striking, and menacing with a fast rhythmic pace and dark industrial overtones.

The Manchester crowd clamor for more and it doesn’t take long for the lads to return to the stage and they tear through I Am The Fear the opening track from the latest album “Dagger”. The metallic synth tones ring out and announce it to the crowd before Adam’s riff power out over the top. It’s a non-stop riot of a track, bass, guitar and drums merging into one glorious wall of noise. Then we return to 2023’s “Protagonists” and the opening track Stamp You Out. If I Am The Fear felt huge, then Stamp You Out just blows it out of the water. It’s iconic loud deep, dark and dirty bass tone from Andy rings out and the crowd go wild. Here the guitars and drums play support and the bass remains front and center throughout the track. Its monumental and the perfect way to round out the night.

As the final notes fade away, the band take their bow and thank their hometown crowd. It’s been a magical night. I can’t of a more iconic, or more suitable venue for tonights show. The architecture seems to compliment their industrial sound perfectly.

What makes it all the more impressive - IST IST have done it all themselves, written it all, promoted it all, and release it all – The epitome of a DIY band, delivering a sound that is truly unique. They deserve this moment, and what a special moment it is.

When we reviewed the latest album “Dagger” we spoke about how the band had embraced new sounds, and experimented and developed. Tonight, this performance reinforced that – IST IST are a band that have refined their identity and are now ready to take on the world………

Setlist

Encouragement

Warning Signs

Burning

Lost My Shadow

The Kiss

Black

What I Know

The Echo

Makes No Difference

Dreams Aren't Enough

Mary in the Black and White Room