the the perform a sell-out show at edinburgh’s usher hall

★★★★★ (5/5)

THETHE PERFORMING AT EDINBURGH’S USHER HALL
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

the The played the Usher Hall on Wednesday night playing two full sets, the first set was the whole of their new studio album, Ensoulment, their first new studio album in nearly 25 years. The second set was drawn from many of their albums but drew mainly from Soul Mining, Dusk, Infected and Mind Bomb.

While the only real constant in the band has been Matt Johnson reading the list of those who have been members or collaborators at one time, or another is like reading a list of some of the greatest musicians and singers of the last 45 years.

So why do so many people want to be part of, or work with, the The and how was the live show?

Firstly, putting my cards on the table, I really don’t understand why the The were not one of the biggest bands of the eighties and early nineties, they had success, but I don’t think they got all the success they deserved. From 1983 to 1993 they released four albums that contained some of the best music released during those ten years. The four albums mentioned above should be mainstays of any music fans collection. Advertising agencies are still using some of their songs and when I occasionally hear them on the radio I always turn it up.

What they did do was inspire a devoted following who got them and didn’t mind the constant line-up changes the shifts in musical style, the lengthy periods between albums and even that fact it’s taken nearly 25 years for the new studio album to be released.

That devoted following turned up in their numbers on Wednesday night, I don’t know if the gig was sold out but if it wasn’t it must have been very closed. The ground floor had been converted to standing and was packed, I couldn’t see any empty seats from my vantage point.

Before they came on the band reinforced the signs in the vestibules asking that attendees put their phones away and be present in the moment. As the voiceover said, they wanted to see our faces, not a see of phones. This is something I’ve seen a few bands do now and I’m all for it, I think it makes for a better atmosphere and better view. People seem more invested. There were a couple of people who ignored the request but, from my vantage point, I didn’t see many. It fosters some of the atmosphere that had been seeping out of gigs with some people spending more time on their phone than signing, dancing or even looking at the band. I think the The called this right, hopefully more bands follow their lead.

The band strode on in a very unassuming manner, I think some of the crowd didn’t even realise they were on until most of the crowd started to give them a rapturous reception. Matt explained the concept of night, two sets, the first, in his words, a listening set and the second a dancing set (and, as it turned out a massive singalong as well!).

So how were they, in a word tremendous. Matt’s voice has gotten slightly deeper and slightly rougher at times but only slightly. The new album was greeted by many there with recognition, clearly many had already bought it or downloaded it. I had deliberately not listened to it before the gig as I wanted my first listen to be this show. It’s a bit slower, bit more introspective and not quite as lively as some of the earlier work but there are some definite potential earworms and towards the end I found myself trying to sing along to a couple of the songs, definitely an album to listen to and see if it sounds as good on vinyl as it does live.

After playing the whole of the album the band abruptly left the stage, Matt had already explained there would be a 15 minute break before they returned for the much longer, much dancier set but I think it still surprised some people.

The crowd took advantage to go to the facilities, get another drink, look at the merchandise etc. Interestingly there was no big fanfare of the The coming back on, all of a sudden, they strode back out onto the stage and started playing. Quite a few of the crowd were caught out and still making their way back but the excitement was palpable. That excitement was rewarded with a blistering set, Matt encouraging everyone to sing and dance as much as they wanted, I’m not sure the invitation was necessary as the crowd were already up for it.

Opening with Infected immediately gave us all an idea of how good things were going to be, following on with Armageddon days are here again, throwing in This Is The Day, Dogs of Lust, Love Is Stronger Than Death etc etc and finishing with an encore of Uncertain Smile and Giant this was a blistering live performance. It doesn’t get much better than this, fantastic music, excellent playing, a fully invested crowd (there was a woman next to me who I don’t think stopped moving and dancing for the entire show, she must have been exhausted!). The singalongs were often spontaneous, sometimes encouraged by Matt but always passionate, the mass swaying and dancing was infectious and, all in all, I left with a massive smile on my face.

If I have one gripe, it’s the lost 25 years, just how much more fantastic music could we have had? Please don’t leave it so long again and please tour again soon. As bands go seeing this one was a bucket list moment for me, I was never lucky enough to see them during the 80’s and 90’s, this gig almost made up for that! Go see the rest of the tour and give the new album a go.