05-11-2015 IAMX

[schema type=”event” evtype=”MusicEvent” name=”IAMX” sdate=”2015-11-05″ street=”De Helling” city=”Utrecht” country=”NL” ]

IAMX is the project of Chris Corner. Since 2004 he built himself a reputation but a couple years ago his health issues prevented him from touring a lot. Anno 2015 album he is back in business, comes with a brand new album and a tour.

That IAMX has some dedicated fans is something you will not fail to notice. Waiting before the concert makes you soon realize that there is a rather international crowd in the house. Some people tell about all the gigs they have been to and all the ones they are going to, covering at least half of the tour. Then, the first band members enter the stage and a friendly foreigner shouts in my ear to take the best photo’s ever.

Starting fast and with a little hyping from the audience it is “I Come With Knifes” that introduces us to a night full of electronic sounds. Danceable, emotional and intense. From the new album the band chooses to play “Happiness” the band’s single which recently got a video to support that. Video is an important part of the band, Chris stated that also in our interview which will appear shortly from this review and this is something that they use in their advantage. Four screens are placed behind them, hovering in a pole giving the illusion of a flower that hangs its head a bit. Ironically they often use flowers in the videoart.
The band also plays “No Maker Made Me” from their new album which makes a growing impression due its catchiness the further you get into the song. It’s a statement piece so to say.

But the shows is not entirely built around the new material. Plenty of IAMX classics have passed by. The dramatic “After Every Party I Die” is one that stands by long afterwards. A scream to be heard and a straightforward way of telling about life. But Chris is a person who has written plenty of straightforward songs. The audience is there to listen, soak it in and often responds in dancing to it.
The loyalty of the fans results in an enormous scanting for more at the end of their set. It’s a ritual, but IAMX-fans take it far to get their heroes back and of course they are granted more.
The evening closes with some more dark, danceable songs accompanied by some great videoart. A show that many will remember long time.