- Following the release of their emotionally charged EP LUX, Inverness alt-rock band Iodynes are hitting the road for a run of dates beyond the Highlands. We caught up with the band to talk about the reaction to the record, taking the new songs out on tour, and why the live side of Iodynes has become more intense than ever.
- LUX sounds like a real step forward for Iodynes. How has the reaction been since the EP landed?
- Honestly, the reaction’s been amazing. We knew “LUX” was a big step forward for us creatively, but seeing people genuinely connect with the emotion and depth of the EP has been nothing short of incredible. We pushed ourselves a lot with the songwriting and production this time around, so it’s been really rewarding hearing people recognise that growth while still feeling like it’s unmistakably Iodynes.
There’s a real vulnerability in putting your true selves out there emotionally, so seeing audiences connect with these songs in the way they have has been incredibly special for us
Now that the EP is out, what made this the right time to take these songs beyond Inverness and out on a mini tour?
The plan was always to launch “LUX” locally, which we managed to do in fantastic fashion with our first ever sold-out show at Tooth and Claw alongside The Idiotix and The Skelps. Beyond that, we already had IPO Festival locked in, so logistically it made the most sense to build a run of shows around it.
It just felt like the perfect opportunity to take LUX beyond Inverness and get these songs in front of a new audience while the momentum was still fresh.
How did you choose the places on this run? Was it about getting back to rooms you know, reaching new people, or seeing how the new songs land in different places?
I think it’s a bit of all three, to be honest. There are definitely places on the run where we already know there’s a great live music community and we wanted to get back into those rooms because the energy is always off the scale. But at the same time, a huge part of this tour is about putting Iodynes in front of completely new audiences and seeing how people connect with the “LUX” outside of the Highlands.
A lot of these songs were written to have a bigger live impact as well, so we’re excited to see how they land in different cities and different venues night after night. Every crowd reacts differently, and that’s one of the best parts of touring — you learn a lot about the songs and about yourselves as a band once you start playing them live consistently.
Inverness has clearly shaped the band, but there’s always something different about playing away from home. What changes for Iodynes on those nights?
Inverness has been, and always will be, a massive part of who we are as a band. It’s where we started, where we learned to hone our skills, and the local community has genuinely helped get us to this point. There’s definitely a comfort and familiarity that comes with playing at home.
But playing away from home brings a completely different energy. You really have to win people over — you never quite know what the reaction from a new crowd is going to be, and that’s electric.
I think it also brings out a slightly heavier and more intense side to the live performance because you’re trying to make a lasting impression in a short space of time. Those are often the gigs where you come off stage feeling like you’ve really earned the reaction, and they tend to leave a lasting impression on us as well.
LUX has some big emotional moments, but the songs still need to hit hard live. How do you balance the meaning behind them with making the set feel powerful in the room?
We’ve always felt that playing these songs is a form of catharsis for us, and so far that seems to be echoed in the audience as well.
‘Know You’re Not Alone’, for example, carries a lot of emotional weight lyrically, but right from the start it’s punchy and has the right amount of electricity to keep the show moving and the crowd engaged.
I think that’s where the balance comes from for us — we never want the emotional side of the music to take away from the energy of the performance. If anything, it should amplify it. When there’s genuine feeling behind a song, people tend to connect with it even more in a live setting, and there’s something incredibly powerful about a room full of people connecting emotionally through music.
You’ve spoken before about songs like “Whole Again” and “Downtown” getting strong live reactions. How are those older favourites sitting alongside the LUX tracks now?
It’s been really interesting seeing how naturally the older songs sit alongside the LUX material. Tracks like ‘Whole Again’ still get a massive reaction live and there’s definitely a familiarity there for people who’ve followed us for a while, but without a doubt, the newer songs seem to elevate the whole set emotionally and dynamically.
We do, from time to time revisit the older material in the jam room and approach them with fresh eyes and look to instil new life into them, “Downtown” for example has just been subject to a few minor tweaks to breathe fresh life into the song, which is probably a good thing as it was the first song we played together as a band.
I think LUX has helped tie everything together stylistically as well. Even though some of the older tracks came from a slightly different period for the band, they still share the same emotive core and intensity, so nothing feels out of place.
Live, it actually creates a really nice balance — you’ve got songs that people already know and connect with instantly, mixed with newer material that push things a bit further sonically and emotionally. That contrast keeps the set feeling fresh while still feeling unmistakably Iodynes like.
For anyone coming to see Iodynes for the first time on this mini tour, what should they expect from the band?
People can expect an energetic and emotive performance. We’ve always wanted Iodynes shows to feel immersive — not just something you watch, but something you feel part of, that’s why audience interaction is so important to us.
Sonically, there’s a mix of big atmospheric moments, punchy riffs, huge choruses, piano where there’s no right to be piano and quieter emotional sections, so the set really takes people on a journey. We put absolutely everything into the live show and I think that intensity comes across pretty quickly, whether you’ve known the band for years or you’re seeing us for the first time.
More than anything though, we just want people to leave feeling something. If someone walks out of the venue feeling emotionally connected to our music, even if they’d never heard of us before that night, then we’ve done our job properly.
With LUX already beginning to connect well beyond the Highlands, Iodynes now head into a run of shows that feels like an important moment for the band. From hometown crowds to new audiences across Scotland and Liverpool, this mini tour gives the band the chance to push these songs into bigger rooms and different cities while continuing to build the reputation they’ve earned through their live performances. If the reaction to LUX so far is anything to go by, Iodynes are heading into the months ahead with real momentum behind them.
Upcoming Iodynes Dates
- May 22 – Loud Mouth Fest, Banff
- May 23 – Twa Tams, Perth
- May 25 – Cavern Club, Liverpool
- May 25 – Cavern Pub, Liverpool
- June 12 – Hug and Pint, Glasgow
- June 20 – Drummonds, Aberdeen
