UK hitmakers The The are on the road for the first time since 2018, performing two sets in support of their brand new album ‘Ensoulment,’ their first in nearly 25 years.
“It’s Friday night in Chicago. You can do better than that!” teased The The frontman Matt Johnson on stage last week during a rare stateside appearance at the Salt Shed in Chicago. “Today, you get two sets for the price of one. And we call set one ‘the listening set,’” he explained. “We are an analog band so listen with your ears and watch with your eyes.”
Since forming in London in 1979, new wave post-punks The The have delivered consistently, with Johnson continually pushing the music forward via collaboration, cinematic embrace and the exploration of new sounds as the group’s sole consistent member.
Returning from a 15 year hiatus in 2017, Johnson followed up a decade of soundtrack work last month with the release of Ensoulment, the first new The The album in almost 25 years.
On the “Ensouled” tour, which makes its way across North America into early November ahead of an Australian run, The The are performing two sets separated by a brief intermission, showcasing the new album in full before closing with a hits retrospective, performing for nearly two and a half hours.
“Truth stands on the gallows / Lies sit on the throne,” sang Johnson, utilizing a trio of microphones during album and show opener “Cognitive Dissident.” “The unthinkable is now thinkable,” he continued, setting a tone early.
Taking off his guitar, Johnson began to explore the space, stalking the stage slowly but methodically while further addressing the world via “Kissing the Ring of POTUS.” “So, is this how the Empire dies?” asked Johnson during the performance.
