UK’s The The Released A Surprise New Album Last Month And Toured With With A Stop Right Here In Chicago

Oct 28, 2024 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Bobby Talamine

Matt Johnson and his band The The. Currently on tour in support of his latest release “Ensoulment”, which was highly anticipated. back in early September. Frothing at the bit highly anticipated, like 6 months or so ago, when the announcement was made on his website and socials of pending new material, then followed by a world tour.

So here we go – The “Ensouled World Tour”, which commenced just after “Ensoulment” was released back on the 6th of September, with no support acts, instead the show is comprised of two sets, with a brief intermission in between.

Set One is “Ensoulment” in its entirety, following along exactly like it was released- from “Cognitive Dissident to the close “A Rainy Day in May”- some 12 songs in total. Set Two was a retrospective of The The classics.

So having kept track of previous tour dates up to the stop in Chicago at The Salt Shed along with overall vibe – have to say that I witnessed, this tour, this show, and how it just builds and builds and builds. Yes, the first set is rather chill, just like hearing the release of “Ensoulment in its entirety. Definitely not amped and crazed, like The The songs of yore- but still, not lacking in political discourse and philosophical engagement, embraced with the wit and clarity of Matt Johnson.

An album that makes you pay attention to what Matt says, how his voice is delivered to enhance certain phrases, let alone exquisite songwriting and melody still intact, and by the looks of things, we’re all on a hot road to hell, that’s for sure. Not easy times for anyone, certainly through Matt’s eyes and ears.
“Ensoulment” is suitable for The The’s catalog, what with dark and subdued melodies pervading, creeping along, Intense reflection followed by contemplation followed by a modicum of powerlessness, which equates to seething anger underneath it all.

As for performed live- the audience- a hush and whisper, even on a Friday night.
Like the entire first set, everything’s dialed to a slow burn, with a whipsmart band to tighten the coils, and provide the necessary sparks.

Such as longtime associate James Eller on bass and backing vocals, DC Collard manning the keys, along with some harmonica and also backing vocals, Little Barrie Cadogan on guitar and also backing vocals, and lastly Chris Whitten on drums, filling in for Earl Harvin, who left the tour in September.So overall, the songs from “Ensoulment”, the first set- most daring.

Glad to have witnessed Matt lead with this, gearing things up for Set Two, and of course, the nuggets.
Lots and lots of nuggets. And the audience, right after intermission, from where I stood, enthusiastic as all get out, with Set Two opener “Infected”, a song that’s riveting, compelling, and just so damn special, even when it’s dialed down a bit, but still- it matters.

Followed by “Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)”- a song looming through the headlights before riding off the cliff at breakneck speed, into “That Sinking Feeling”, and then followed by the lustrous song “Heartland”, where before it was played, Matt described in detail a painting he has at his home in the UK, from 1962 or so, showing the Chicago skyline, earmarking certain buildings he’s fond of, such as the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and of course Marina City.

Then came the observation of new construction cranes, and getting rid of the old, and into the new, which he dislikes. All of this wrapped around the song “Heartland”, and what the heartland (the midwest) means to him in the present day.

And on we go through Set Two, all the way to the close- the encore of encores- “Uncertain Smile”, followed by “Giant”. “Giant” in particular, from “Soul Mining” back in 1983…..such a powerful statement of a song, a song that flexes its muscles, over and over and over. Like all of “Soul Mining”, it hits close to the bone, an album that hits continually all of your emotions and entrails, sung with such angst and vigor and contempt of everything.

Such is the set of Set Two, a slice and dice moment of clarity, especially comforting that the songs, all the songs still hold up, and hold up with truth.

So to come full circle, this splendid “Ensoulment Tour”, sets One and Two- a show frothing at the bit with ideas, followed by terrific musicianship, and the added punch of a Matt Johnson, who even though he’s aged a bit, has had some medical issues, still finds a way to convey deep hearted thoughts and emotions. “This Is the Day”? Oh yeah, Goddamned right. Easily one of the best shows of the year.

Setlist: The The, Ensouled World Tour 2024, The Salt Shed Chicago, Friday 10/25/24

Ensoulment: In It’s Entirety

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: The Hits

13. Infected
14. Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)
15. The Sinking Feeling
16. Heartland
17. The Whisperers
18. Love Is Stronger Than Death
19. August & September
20. Slow Emotion Replay
21. This Is the Day
22. Icing Up
23. Dogs of Lust
24. Sweet Bird of Truth
25. Lonely Planet

Encore:

26. Uncertain Smile
27. GIANT