IST IST are a band that has always been an enigma. They operate at what is the perfect size for a band - they have the facilities to do shows such as The Albert Hall in Manchester, but yet they still feel like a well-kept secret. We uncovered some of that secret at Rescue Rooms...
When you go to an IST IST show, the first thing you notice is the vibe and style in the crowd. The entire fandom of this band seems to be completely and utterly committed to the aesthetic. A vast majority of the people there were in all black, with leather jackets, patches, and impeccably styled hair. All this really added to the mystique of the show- as the faint noise of Fugazi’s Waiting Room hummed through the speakers.
I snaked my way to the front of the barrier, directly in front of the stage and right in the midst of the energy. Directly behind me stood perhaps the coolest person I have ever seen in a concert- draped in a fitted leather jacket, grey button down, quiff, and sunglasses, straight out of a James Dean film. The lights began to dim and you could hear a pin drop before the opener The Youth Play took the stage.
To be completely honest, I had never heard of The Youth Play before this show- but they absolutely blew me away. The first thing you notice about this band when they come out on stage is the stark contrast of each member’s looks, with singer Diego Bracho styled akin to a cooler Matty Healy, guitarist Harrison Ballard being very Gallagher-esque, bassist Alex Hanrahan seeming like he was pulled out of the 1980s, and Fin Bruce, their drummer, having a style akin to Slint or Westside Cowboy.
Words cannot describe the absolute awe I felt when I was watching these four lads play - every second was filled with power and drive and the way everything just clicked was entrancing. The entire set was filled with songs that are sure to be classics, especially Last Day on Earth, the closing track from their new EP someday, forever. This track was truly beautiful in the most raw, human way. Their blend of indie, shoegaze, and post-punk was almost mathematical in its preciseness, as if Neil Halstead joined Interpol and had the swagger of Fontaines or The 1975.
So, The Youth Play exited the stage and the crowd waited in anticipation for the lights to dim again. We wouldn’t have to wait long; this show was also really well paced, with perfect 30 minute breaks between the doors opening, the opening band, and the headliner.
After a short increment, everything went dark except for white stage lights, and Andy Keating (bass), Mat Peters (guitar) and Joel Kay (drums) entered. One thing you will notice whenever you see IST IST perform live is how much stage presence they have. Even without lead singer Adam Houghton with them, they still absolutely owned the crowd with the amount of swagger they had. Through their blistering set, you could feel in your chest that you were watching a truly monumental band. Houghton really commanded the set, as his gravelled, haunting voice wrapped its way through the crowd, leaving them completely and utterly entranced.
The lights, on their own, seemed their own performance. The subdued but blistering white blasting into the crowd accompanied the music in a way I have never seen lighting do before. About halfway through the set, Adam Houghton exited the stage and allowed the rest of the band to do a brilliant instrumental section and showcase their raw talent.
Every single song was a standout, but The Echo, Lost My Shadow, Emily and, in particular, Under Your Skin really showed how tight and brilliant IST IST truly are. They ‘ended’ their set on the modern classic You’re Mine, and as they closed the main part of the performance, the crowd seemed to collectively let out a single breath, as if the band had completely winded them.
As is standard procedure, the band came out again for an encore of a handful of songs, and these did not disappoint - especially fan favourite I Am The Fear.
As the lights brightened and people filed out into the streets, you couldn't help but feel that you would never experience something like that again: that level of sound, performance and style, all coming into one in a tight 90-minute set. It is my highest recommendation that everyone seek out a show with IST IST on the bill as soon as humanly possible. It is an essential to living.
IST IST performed at Rescue Rooms on 23rd April 2026 with support from The Youth Play
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
