Interpol

+ Ladytron

Apollo, Manchester - 8 Jul 2008

by Jon Drake

A set list that like a best of compilation leaves New Noise harking back to the old days

"Strolling on stage in front of a screen of static, Paul Banks and company look almost like old style gangsters, all immaculately dressed and composed"

The Manchester Apollo is the most similar venue to one of London's larger theatres that we have yet to visit in the north west. It brings to mind memories of our early gig-going days when we felt dwarfed by the sheer size, character and class of the place we were jumping around in.

As people crowd in at the front trying to assure themselves a decent view for the main event, Liverpool's electro pop four-piece Ladytron arrive on stage, session musicians in tow. It is perhaps a strange choice of support given the differences in style but the "Tron" seem determined to do their best to whip up the excitement.

Pounding drums and chilling synth hooks cut accross the crowd, though the reception remains subdued if respectful. They aren't helped out by the fact that poor sound quality is taking away the eeriness that normally accompanies their recorded material. That said, most of the people here tonight are here for one thing and one thing only.

Strolling on stage in front of a screen of static, Paul Banks and company look almost like old style gangsters, all immaculately dressed and composed. The first chords of 'Pioneer To The Falls' eminate from the stage and an awed stillness comes over the crowd.

They continue straight on with 'Slow Hands' without even the mearest of good evenings, setting the tempo for the rest of the show. Tonight's set list is a "best of" that spans all three albums and is exactly what everyone wants to hear.

There isn't a great deal of crowd interaction as all spare time is used to cram in more music. On stage, the band don't interact with each other either. All are concerned with the task at hand, completely engrossed in their duties.

Daniel Kessler dances around the stage as if the songs wouldn't sound as good if he didn't, while Carlos Dengler struts confidently like a cross between Christopher Soprano and George McFly. Everyone in the Apollo is giving their all to this show.

As they depart, Interpol leave us exhausted and we hang on with willpower alone for the encore and when it  comes, it rewards with single 'The Heinrich Maneuver'.

Leaving for the final time Interpol have given Manchester one of the best shows of the year so far and we leave with that same feeling of early days euphoria.

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