WORDS AND IMAGES PAUL EVANS
The The have been stunning tonight, seamlessly blending new material from
Ensoulment with classic, retrospective tracks to create something reflective,
celebratory and very special.
There’s a certain anticipation and a collective reverence hanging in the air at Manchester’s Apollo tonight as The The perform their first new album in 25 years. Though often overlooked by mainstream audiences, the band’s music remains a touchstone for those seeking depth, complexity and emotional resonance in popular music. Centred around the creative genius of Matt Johnson, they are a band synonymous with deeply introspective and politically charged music, blending new wave, rock and blues and have created some of the most influential and thought-provoking music of the last 40 years. This should be good, very good.
The weather is wet tonight, very wet, but the art-deco O2 Apollo is full to the brim with a diverse set of fans and is perfect for a band whose music feels timeless and spans multiple eras. In a recorded message before the five-piece take the stage, we are asked to watch, listen and to not take photographs and in person Johnson then sets out the order of the night. The first set will consist of a listening set of the full Ensoulment album, followed by a retrospective dancing set of The The classics to round off the night.
The bands latest album, Ensoulment, is both a reflection and a meditation on the human condition, an exploration of inner and outer worlds and “Cognitive Dissident” immediately sets the tone for the first set. With a driving bassline and jagged guitar riffs, it is both hypnotic and unsettling. Johnson, standing in a spotlight behind a three-pronged mic stand, anchors the performance with his rich, textured voice guiding the audience through themes of social disconnection and the fragmentation of truth. The crowd are initially quiet, swaying in unison, caught up in the dissonance between the melody and meaning of the song. It’s a haunting start. “Some Days I Drink My Coffee by the Grave of William Blake” provides a respite from the power of the opener with gentle piano chords and a languid tempo. Johnson’s vocals are emotive and as resonant as ever as he weaves themes of mortality into a lush, layered soundscape of laid-back delta blues. The Apollo’s acoustics bring out the subtleties of the arrangement, every note lingering on the dark stage like a whispered sigh. Moving from behind his mic stand, Johnson’s vocals on “Life After Life” are softer and almost reverent. The arrangement is sparse and haunting, the band playing with restraint, giving the song a delicate, almost fragile quality. The audience is silent, hanging on every word, the song creating a shared sense of reflection.
“Down by the Frozen River” is sweeping and cinematic and evokes a sense of isolation and desolation. The performance breathtaking, the band creating a wall of sound that engulfs the Apollo. Johnson’s lyrics paint vivid, almost surreal imagery and the music swells and recedes like a tide, pulling the audience deeper into the song’s cold, frozen landscape. “Linoleum Smooth to the Stockinged Foot” is subtle, with a jazz-inflected rhythm resulting in quiet, understated beauty that contrasts superbly with the heavier moments in the set. “Where Do We Go When We Die?” is dreamlike, the band ethereal, with soft, shimmering guitars and delicate percussion creating a sense of floating, as if the song itself is suspended between worlds. Johnson’s vocals are haunting, his voice almost a whisper at times, as if he is addressing the unanswerable while the audience sway gently as the song washes over them. “A Rainy Day in May,” closes the first set with its gentle and soft, lilting melody, the band’s performance is understated yet deeply affecting and as the last notes fade into the air, the audience erupt into applause.
It’s a brave decision playing a new album in full and for me it has worked tonight. If the first set is a contemplative exploration of the human soul, the second retrospective set spanning a decades-long career is a reminder of the power and depth of The The’s back catalogue. The opening chords of “Infected” send the crowd into thunderous applause. The song’s aggressive, infectious energy feeling like a jolt of adrenaline after the introspective first set. Johnson delivering the lyrics with ferocity as the audience sing along. “Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)” and ”Heartland” feel as relevant as ever in today’s turbulent world, reminding me why Johnson’s words and music still cut so deeply. The band’s performance of “Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)” is searing, building to an explosive release. Johnson’s biting social commentary cutting through the music like a knife.
”Heartland” is one of the night’s highlights, the band’s performance tight and energetic, the packed crowd singing along. Johnson’s powerful critique of nationalism and political corruption filled with passion and conviction. Classic songs are re-worked, “Dogs of Lust” is menacing and intense before the opening chords of “This Is the Day” elicits mass cheers. It’s a feel-good moment as the crowd immediately began singing along to one of The The’s most loved tracks. The band’s performance electrifying, with Johnson delivering the song’s nostalgic, hopeful message with warmth and sincerity. After a few minutes of sustained applause, the opening riff of “Uncertain Smile” sends the crowd into mass cheers again. The band’s performance joyful and exuberant, with Matt delivering the lyrics over the hypnotic riff as they dance and sing along to one of The The’s most iconic tracks. A thunderous performance of “GIANT” closes the night, the bands driving beat and infectious energy bringing the song and the night to an explosive conclusion.
The The’s enduring relevance in an era of political uncertainty and social upheaval is undeniable. Matt Johnson’s unique blend of introspective lyricism, political critique and genre-blurring compositions has rightly earned The The a place in the pantheon of great British bands. Matt’s presence on stage has been as captivating as ever, his voice rich with emotion and wisdom, guiding the audience through a journey that explores the depths of human experience. Over the decades, Johnson’s vision has evolved, but his commitment to creating music that challenges, provokes, and inspires has remained constant. As they continue to tour and release new material, The The’s legacy as one of the most innovative and influential bands of their generation is secure. The The have been stunning tonight, seamlessly blending new material from Ensoulment with classic, retrospective tracks to create something reflective, celebratory and very special.
SETLIST
SET 1-Ensoulment
1/ Cognitive Dissident
2/ Some Days I Drink My Coffee by the Grave of William Blake
3/ Zen & the Art of Dating
4/ Kissing the Ring of POTUS
5/ Life After Life
6/ I Want to Wake Up With You
7/ Down by the Frozen River
8/ Risin’ Above the Need
9/ Linoleum Smooth to the Stockinged Foot
10/ Where Do We Go When We Die?
11/ I Hope You Remember (The Things I Can’t Forget)
12/ A Rainy Day in May
Set 2-Retrospect
1/ Infected
2/ Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)
3/ The Sinking Feeling
4/ Heartland
5/ The Whisperers
6/ Love Is Stronger Than Death
7/ August & September
8/ Slow Emotion Replay
9/ This Is the Day
10/ Icing Up
11/ Dogs of Lust
Sweet Bird of Truth
12/ Lonely Planet
Encore
13/ Uncertain Smile
14/ GIANT
FOLLOW THE THE
I’ve loved music since forever. Graphic designer, photographer and artist at painted.papillon.smile (www.ppsdesign.co.uk)
