An emotional night full of tension, no one wants this gig to end knowing it will truly be the end.
The alternative community have come out in full force for Ithaca’s last ever headline show, queuing in the middle of a shopping centre while those passing by seem confused by the crowd. Forlorn have the difficult task of opening tonight. The crowd is tense as they know tonight will mark the end of something truly special in the heavy music scene. Forlorn bring their unique folk horror inspired metal and truly smash it. The band know it’s the small touches that make a great set best exemplified by the microphone being decorated with foliage. The issue is that the crowd is so tense waiting for Ithaca they aren’t the most active for the set. They still definitely enjoy it albeit reserved in their reaction. Forlorn have started the funeral march to Ithaca’s last headline set with true style.
The tension keeps growing for the final Ithaca headline set as Knife Bride take the stage. Knife Bride manage to cut some of the tension of the room with their beautiful riffs and vocals. They achieve the perfect balance of heaviness with calmer moments which takes the set into being a true exploration of their sound. There still isn’t much movement in the crowd likely to the tension still remaining, but theres some mostly with typical horns in the air. Knife Bride’s vocalist knows how to serve vocals and stage presence. They are the perfect act to bring us that last step closer to the final time we will ever see Ithaca headline a gig.
The time between Knife Bride leaving the stage and Ithaca coming on could have been slow and impossible to get through but it’s made that little bit easier via the DJ’s song choices which lead to a mini mosh to Slipknot and a sing along to Sk8er Boy. The stage is donned with flowers and an arrangement spelling out the band’s name. This truly is a funeral for the band, not dwelling on the fact it’s ending but celebrating what happened. The band take the stage, lead singer Djamila Boden Azzouz dressed in traditional funeral attire. The tension and atmosphere builds till she removes her vail and hits the stage with some of the most intense vocals ever seen from her. The crowd’s tension finally explodes, the pit becomes frantic and takes up a lot of the venue, people not knowing to cry or join in the chaos. The band are all in sync with each other knowing tonight is the chance to celebrate these songs. The Opening track being Cremation Party is perfect as tonight really has become a party in celebration of Ithaca.
The band have the crowd in the palm of their hand, emotions running high for everyone including the band. Those taking a break from pit chaos taking time to have an emotional rest as there appears to be something magical in the air. Djamila Boden Azzouz takes an outfit change revealing she is in a corset. How she can perform such intense vocals in a corset is truly one of the great mysteries of music. The band are truly one with each other, every note tonight seems that extra bit more powerful. The band play old songs, they play new songs, they play everything they can to celebrate the band. The band bring out original bassist Drew Haycock to play Ashes. The crowd goes wild, moshing that extra amount harder to celebrate the origins of the band. The band even debut a new song which sees the crowd calm down to take the time to listen as a collective. Emotionally the crowd is near breaking point as they know the end is coming nearer.
After playing Fluorescent, the band take some time from the stage. Dedications sent by fans of the band are played over the speakers, telling the story of why this band is so special. Message after message celebrating the band put tears into the eyes of more and more of the crowd. With each message played a few more fans embrace each other while drying their eyes. The band return to the stage for the encore for 3 final songs to bring tonight to a close. Crowd surfers keep surfing, the moshers go full out. No one wants tonight to end but it must. Tonight is drawn to a close, not a single dry eye in the room. Goodbye Ithaca tonight proved why you were truly great.
Words: Will Freeman
Photos: Katerina Stepanikova
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