Can it be a coincidence that in the week that Ian Curtis biopic Control premiered in Edinburgh, New Yorkers Interpol returned to the city? Because the band have long tried to shake off their branding as ‘Joy Division tribute’ act. Certainly the stark monochrome lighting onstage didn’t help, and the band’s enigmatic air extends to minimum of communication with the audience – only the briefest of chat from singer Paul Banks, with no mention made of the sudden cancelation of the Newcastle show the night before following the hospitalisation of keyboardist Carlos D. but the band’s disappointing third album Our Love To Admire may be an attempt to show their versatility.
The show opens with Pioneer To The Falls from current album Our Love To Admire and as its chiming Echo & the Bunnymen-style guitars ring throughout the packed venue all that’s missing is long grey overcoats.
Sadly, this is the show’s high point, with many of the more recent tunes (Rest My Chemistry) monopaced and monotonic with little to get the unenthusiastic crowd going, even oldies such as NYC and Slow Hands from their second album failing to impress, although latest single The Heinrich Maneuver gets a better reception.
The band eventually delve into debut album but final encore ‘Stella Was a Diver livens the crowd up too little too late.
(A version originaly appeared in the Daily Record)