The The 30.09.2024 @ Manchester Apollo

Credit for this page goes to: John Gilman

Back in 1987 ish, Halloween had a dual significance for me—not only did I throw a party that night, but it was also the day I bought The The’ s album, ‘Infected’ From the moment I heard the powerful drum intro, I was hooked. It wasn’t my usual genre back then, but the album’s quality was undeniable, capturing something unique with its mix of brooding, politically charged lyrics and infectious melodies. Fast forward a few decades, and teenage me would have been thrilled to know I’d eventually get to see The The live at Manchester Apollo—an iconic venue that holds countless memories as the place where my gig-going journey began.

Tonight’s performance felt like a time warp and a leap forward all at once. The gig was split into two distinct sets, and the venue, with its rich history and nostalgic pull, made the experience all the more special. Matt Johnson, the mastermind behind The The, opted for a bold structure. Set one, which he dubbed the "listening set," was entirely dedicated to their new album ‘Ensoulment’—a meditative, introspective return for the band. This was a risky move, as new material can often alienate an audience, but the crowd welcomed it with open arms. After all, it's been over 25 years since they last released a new album, and this was only their third tour in two decades.

Highlights from the new album included the brooding opener "Cognitive Dissident," the haunting "Where Do We Go When We Die?," and the poignant "A Rainy Day in May." While some tracks will likely mature with time, growing in resonance after repeated listens, others already felt ripe for live performance. However, as much as I appreciated the atmospheric mood of this first set, a part of me wished for a shorter selection of new tracks, allowing room for more classics in the second half. But that’s just a minor quibble.

After a brief intermission (just long enough to grab a drink at the bar), we moved into the "dancing set." The energy in the room was palpable, even if the dancing wasn’t quite as lively as it might have been in 1987! Opening with "Infected" immediately took me back to that Halloween party. The combination of nostalgia and the undeniable power of the music had the crowd buzzing. Matt followed it up with the apocalyptic "Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)," before diving back to ‘Soul Mining’ with the melancholic "The Sinking Feeling." The minimalistic stage backdrop transformed into a dazzling display of stars and stripes as the band tore into "Heartland," a blistering commentary that felt just as relevant today as it did decades ago. "51st State" echoed through the Apollo with the crowd in full voice, every lyric bouncing off the iconic walls.

A slower, reimagined version of "Slow Emotion Replay" followed, dividing opinion among the audience. While it may not have had the swagger of the original, it still carried a poignant emotional weight, a testament to Johnson’s vocal delivery. Matt’s banter between songs was more frequent than I expected, with one standout moment being his introduction to "This Is the Day" as the song that "started it all." He shared how it was written when he was just 18, a reflection on optimism and the passage of time. It was an intimate, heartwarming moment that added another layer to an already stellar night.

One of the unexpected highlights of the second set was the inclusion of "Icing Up" from ‘Burning Blue Soul’, a deep cut that delighted long-time fans. The band continued to dip into their back catalog, including tracks like "Sweet Bird of Truth" and a jaw-dropping rendition of "Uncertain Smile," complete with that iconic piano outro performed by DC Collard, which left the audience in awe.

As the end of the night approached, Matt teased the crowd, asking, “Which one haven’t we played yet?” When a fan shouted "Giant," it prompted a chuckle from him. Of course, it was always going to be "Giant." The nine-minute epic brought the show to a roaring close, with its snarling lyrics—"How could anyone know me when I don't even know myself?"—resonating with a sense of introspective rawness that few lyricists can match. Matt Johnson’s words have always held a unique power, mixing cutting social commentary with a beautiful sadness that touches on life, loss, and the human condition.

As someone who had never seen ‘The The’ live before, this show was a deeply emotional experience, bringing together decades of music that shaped so many of my memories. One final thought—while I appreciated the absence of mobile phones and cameras for most of the show, I do think allowing the audience to capture one song at the end (perhaps the encore) could be a nice compromise. It would offer a way to take home a visual memory while still respecting the overall concert experience. Maybe next time!

As for the future, who knows? Matt Johnson commented on how much Manchester has changed since his last visit, lamenting the loss of the old skyline in favor of new, towering structures. Hopefully, it won’t be as long before we see a return to this city.

Set list;

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?