THERAPY? | LIVE REVIEW
The Globe, Cardiff, Thurs 8 Nov
Packed into the sweaty confines of The Globe, Therapy? deliver a barnstorming set to kick off their UK tour. The quartet launch into a thundering run through of Wreck It Like Beckett – the stand-out track from the recently released LP Cleave – quickly followed by Kakistrocracy; preceded by a nice ‘tribute’ to Donald Trump.
There are no signs of the Northern Irelanders resting on their laurels, despite Cleave being their 15th album, and their faith in their latest material is demonstrated by the opening double-header of new tracks. Eight of its 10 songs are played in total, including recent single Callow, which proves to be one of the night’s highlights.
Therapy? revert to something old next with 1994 hit Die Laughing. Flanked by ever-smiling bassist and founding member Michael McKeegan, equally affable frontman Andy Cairns then introduces Lonely, Cryin’, Only – released during the “Eamonn Holmes years” when the singer had put on a bit of timber. Tributes to legendary Newport venue TJ’s and Dylan Thomas further win over the Welsh crowd.
Aside from the new stuff, the set is largely an express train careering through Therapy’s most beloved tracks – including Turn, Trigger Inside, Screamager, Teethgrinder and the expletive-laden Potato Junkie, which is joyously barked into the mic by Cairns. For something borrowed, Therapy? revisit live favourite, Hüsker Dü’s Diane, and a raucous rendition of Judas Priest’s Breaking The Law. In fact, the only thing missing from the evening is their classic cover of Joy Division’s Isolation.
Not content with surging through 16 songs without respite, Therapy? then deliver a juggernaut encore of seven songs to send 300 Cardiffians into the cold night with buzzing ears and broken voices.
words NEIL COLLINS photos JONATHAN HERRON