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THE THE
@ Sydney Opera House,
Sydney,
21st November, 2024
(Live Review)

Review  and photos by Dan Turner (@dapperdanphoto)

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THE THE / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Six years since The The’s Comeback Tour, The The are back with a new album, Ensoulment and a world tour including two sold out nights at the Sydney Opera House. The set was split into two segments, the first featuring the new album in full and the second segment was from their immense back catalogue of singles.

Matt Johnson hasn’t really changed over the years and his disdain for politicians and the current state of the world is woven intricately in the new album and manifests itself perfectly in the opener ‘Cognitive Dissident ‘– about  how we deal with misinformation in the media. Long term band member’ Barrie Cadogan’s guitar adding an ominous touch live. ‘Kissing the Ring of Potus’ is a timely reminder of the political flux of the moment. ‘Risin Above the Need’ takes the focus away from politics to existentialism, complemented by Cadogan’s guitar and James Eller’s bass. Another standout was the gloriously beautiful ‘Where Do We Go When We Die?”

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THE THE / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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The second half opens with ‘Infected’ from the 1986  album of the same name. The crowd were on their feet immediately as the drums drove the song and Johnson encouraged the audience to sing along. From here it was hit after hit with the dystopian ‘Heartland’  and the Apocalyptic ‘Armageddon Days Are Here Again’. As they switched to their more bluesy single ‘Dogs Of Lust’ from their Dusk album, The The had everyone on their feet,  keyboardist DC Collard played some great harmonica solos. A new version of ‘Slow Emotion Replay’ from Dusk was welcomed with opened arms too.

‘This is the Day’ is quite possibly their most recognisable song and the Opera House roared in response. A couple of slower numbers gave Matt Johnson some time to talk and add some levity to the performance before ‘Love is Stronger Than Death’ and ‘The Whisperers’. The set ended with ‘Lonely Planet’, another slow song with a pertinent message ‘if you can’t change the world, change yourself’ Johnson opines. Just when we thought it was all over they played two encores – their 1982 track ‘Uncertain Smile’ and ‘Giant’ from  ‘Soul Mining’. A perfect end to a perfect evening.

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THE THE / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Check out Dan Turner’s (@dapperdanphoto) full gallery of this event HERE

Check out Elise De Simoni’s (@elisedphoto) full gallery of the Adelaide event (Hindley Street Music Hall 18th November 2024) HERE

Check out Rob Mezzatesta’s (@robmezzphoto) full gallery of the Sydney event (Sydney Opera House 21st November 2024) HERE

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THE THE / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Follow THE THE
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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THE THE / Photo – @dapperdanphoto

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Press Release 11th December 2023 (below) HERE

Post-punk royalty
THE THE
announce second Melbourne show
+ two Sydney Opera House shows

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AMNPLIFY – DB