[ATTENDED: September 17, 2018] The The
I feel like I have always loved The The. I’d never say they were my favorite band, but they’ve always been a part of my playlists and lyrics from the songs are constantly running through my head.
From the dancey early stuff off of Infected (the first album I’d heard), to the cool “band” stuff with Johnny Marr on guitar (The The was always and forever shall be the project of Matt Johnson with a rotating cast of others) and finally to the beautiful Dusk, which I couldn’t stop playing all through college. There were other albums, but these three (and, strangely enough the Hank Williams cover album) were staples for me.
Matt Johnson has this voice, the deep resonating voice, that gets right into my head. Especially with headphones, especially on the beginning of Dusk. That album is so pristinely recorded it feels like the guitars are in whatever room you are currently in.
I had the fortune of seeing them in May of 2000, the last time The The played the States (and almost anywhere else). The setlist below I found online. They apparently played almost all of the then new album and nearly nothing else. That seems incomplete (and short).
When he (they) announced that The The had released a new song and were doing some shows in England and Europe, I held out hope that they would come across the pond. I wondered if they’d play Philly, but they didn’t (and that was probably wise as even the Beacon didn’t sell out). So I got tickets as soon as I could and scored 11th row. For yes, I was willing to brave the Lincoln Tunnel and an expensive parking garage to see this show. And having it only in a few locations made it that much more special. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 