Photos by Andy Argyrakis

In the 24 years since The The officially released an album, sole constant member Matt Johnson switched to the world of movie soundtracks where he maintained the English act’s unpredictability and intrigue.

However, when it was announced the latest live version of the band would be back to not only perform the new “Ensoulment” in its entirely, but also an even longer rewind set, The Salt Shed, the rest of North America, Europe and Australia quickly sold out.

Since the early 1980s, The The mainly made a name for itself on the underground thanks to an arty melting pot of alternative rock, synth-pop, new wave, post-punk and stripped down darkness.

The latest falls in the latter category, emboldened by Johnson surviving a life-threatening throat infection and surgery, then channeling his healed, haunting and hypnotic vocals towards the smoky starters “Cognitive Dissident” and “Some Days I Drink My Coffee By The Grave Of William Blake.”

At other points, The The tapped into varied topics of today, from the online options of swiping left or right during “Zen & The Art Of Dating” to the politically-charged “Kissing The Ring Of POTUS,” plus pondered “Where Do We Go When We Die?” and turned to the Leonard Cohen-like poetry of “I Hope You Remember (The Things I Can’t Forget).”

The second part examined bits of the other proper projects in The The’s spread out but substantial catalogue, and let’s just say fans were quickly “Infected” by the more beat-driven retro remembrances.

“Armageddon Days Are Here (Again)” and “The Sinking Feeling” kept the grooves glowing, “Heartland” was introduced by the singer’s story about owning a vintage painting of the breathtaking Chicago skyline and “Love Is Stronger Than Death” resumed the reflective sentiments in a generally acoustic setting.

Interestingly, the avant-garde, percussion-charged experiment “Icing Up” preceded the group’s high-charting Stateside hit, the straightforward stomper “Dogs Of Lust,” though the juxtaposition was yet another example The The’s effortless ability to eschew common classifications.

That accessibility continued throughout “Sweet Bird Of Truth” and shifted towards the many communal mantras of “Lonely Planet,” leading to Johnson and company entrancing in the encore with the brighter swing of “Uncertain Smile” and the extended epic “GIANT” to grandly stitch together all the generous evening’s rhythmic variations.

For additional information on The The, visit TheThe.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at The Salt Shed include Inhaler (Oct. 26); Sammy Rae & The Friends (Oct. 27); Thee Sacred Souls (Nov. 2); Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Nov. 8); Weish Fest (Nov. 9); Lupe Fiasco (Nov. 10); Modest Mouse (Nov. 14); Tycho (Nov. 15); Dawes (Nov. 16); Caribou (Nov. 17); Interpol (Nov. 18-19); Cory Wong (Nov. 22); Cake (Nov. 23); Underoath (Nov. 24); Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (Dec. 6); Trap Karaoke (Dec. 13); Suki Waterhouse (Dec. 18); Zeds Dead (Dec. 19-21) and Lake Street Dive (Dec. 30-31). For additional details, visit SaltShedChicago.com.

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