Therapy? are a band I’ve loved since 1994, playing my bootleg copy of Troublegum on my walkman in the back of my parents car. Twelve year old me would be delighted with herself right now. Last night was epic. Not my first time seeing Therapy? in action, but my first time photographing them and holy flip did I enjoy myself…
First a mention for the tour support, Deux Furieuses, currently promoting their third album ‘Songs from Planet Earth‘. ‘Drums, guitar and a heart‘ as their tag line tells us, and that’s what we get. These two are ‘not French‘ but they are angry, rightfully so, and their tuneful rage is expressing something we don’t get to hear enough these days. In a stand out moment Ros Cairney tells us about being asked by the industry to ‘be more sexy‘. They respond with the track ‘Are we sexy enough?’ highlighting abuse in no uncertain terms. Check it out on their debut album, Tracks of Wire.
So we’ve been nicely warmed up when Therapy? take to the stage. This gig is a celebration of the 30th anniversary of Troublegum, their fourth album. You might think you’re about to hear opening track ‘Knives’ (in fact I was worried I’d be in the pit for the first three songs and not able to dance) but Therapy? have other ideas…
What we get is a mixup of all the Troublegum tracks plus a few other newbies and classics, all pulled together in a carefully curated set. It seems designed as much for the band to enjoy themselves as whip the crowd up. And enjoy themselves this band does. The grins on the faces of these guys are nothing less than magic.
Fans are thanked for spending their hard earned cash coming out tonight, we’re thanked for giving them an amazing livelihood, we’re treated to one famous riff over and over again because Andy is proud of it. We’re asked to think about those less fortunate both in the Middle East and here in the UK and then sing/ shout ‘I’m in hell and I’m alone‘ to get the frustration out.
When the mosh pit takes a break at one point it seems like a little scuffle. But these are Therapy? fans. Someone lost their shoe, everyone stopped to find it. This is partying hard but looking after your mates. It’s lovely stuff.
Their energy is infectious, the tunes are what we need and the release for the crowd is exactly why we’ll keep coming back for this particular brand of therapy time and time again. At the end of the typed set list there is a handwritten note saying ‘love in the room‘. Along with amazing riffs, singalong tracks, intense drums and crashing guitars it’s what this band do, and nobody does it better.
Therapy? are on tour now. Catch them tonight in Bristol’s O2 Academy and Sat 16th in London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush, before they head off across Europe.
Keep in touch with the band on Instagram and Facebook
Review and photography by Breige Cobane
Keep up to date with all new content on Joyzine via our
Facebook / Threads / Instagram / Mailing List