New York's finest Interpol returned to Manchester Apollo for a 'warm-up' gig prior to their headline appearances at T in The Park and Latitude.
Often unfairly labelled as Joy Division copyists because of their similarly deep and penetrable wall of sound. However with third album 'Our Love To Admire' it saw the band parade an impressive versatility and most of all, accessibility.
The aforementioned versatility is evident by the first two songs alone. Kicking off proceedings with the brooding ache of 'Pioneer To The Falls', they then transform into the post-punk revivalists we know and love with crowd favourite 'Slow Hands'.
The relentless riff that introduces it causes a mass surge from the now-wild crowd, yet many punters are bewildered afterwards, have they played their trump card too early?
As well dressed as ever and with an eerie stage presence, between songs the band thank the audience and Banks often throws a wry smile, especially as wave upon wave of crowdsurfers crash into the arms of the fluorescent orange security men.
'The Lighthouse' provides the only downside to the night. It's the irritating flamenco guitar that threatens to override the whole damn thing, a noble stab at "epic" perhaps. Yet a noble failure all the same.
Whilst the majority of bands have that one hit single which defines them, Interpol have never quite managed this. Not cool enough for the mainstream, too straight-laced for the alternative world, the crowd tonight is peppered with indie scenesters, ageing rockers and those in between with a discerning ear.
Yet for their lack of a breakthrough smash, they have style, substance and most importantly a hugely impressive back catalogue.
The fabulously titled 'No I In Threesome' roars through to 'Evil', a welcome recall to their Antics-era bile spewing brilliance. All the while Paul Banks et al retain a rare sincerity and when the words "We've been building up steam/Ignited by the fight" ricochet around the Apollo in the near-crucifying climax to 'Next Exit' it seems the fight has already been won.
And if there was any remaining doubt, it has well and truly been dispelled by the time 'Mammoth' blares out of the PA System. "Now we should dance like two fucking twins" sees Banks's gentlemanly graces replaced by the grit of a true rock star and also finds 3,500 pairs of feet jumping hard enough to shake the foundations to it's core.
Special praise also has to be given to support band Ladytron, think part Howling Bells, part Crystal Castles. A visceral set full of icy atmospherics and synth-pop bleeps that is well worth checking out.
But back to important matters. Interpol-if this is a band just making their tentative comeback, then Interpol are most definitely the must-see band this year on the festival circuit. They weren't just warming up, Interpol were on fire.
Lee Sentino.