I had never been to Sheffield Leadmill for a gig before and so this was going to be a brand new experience for me. Finding the City of Sheffield is simple enough but finding The Leadmill took a while, it is situated in one of those places that once you have found it- you never forget where it is. The venue itself is one of the best venues that I have visited outside of Nottingham, and I will certainly be making more of an effort to catch bands play there.
Because of my age I can remember when Therapy? dominated the rock music scene throughout the 90's, and I can remember spending hard earned cash to see them play at Monsters of Rock 1995. That was the first time that I ever had the pleasure of seeing them live and from that moment on I was just captivated- every tour they have done since then I have always made sure that I catch them on at least one of their live dates.
The stage was set and the members of Therapy? made what can only be classed as a very casual stage entrance. They belted out 'Unbeliever' as the opening track with such vigour and passion- you would have thought that this was the first time they had played it as they poured their hearts and souls into producing a tidal wave of energy.
After a couple of tracks it was time for the new material, taken from their recent album 'Never Apologise, Never Explain'. By the end of the night we had been treated to seven tracks from that album which included 'Rock You Monkeys, 'Die Like A MotherF#cker', 'Polar Bear', 'Perish The Thought', 'Rise Up', 'Here Be Monster', and 'The Ship Is Sinking'.
Most bands have trouble playing seven songs for an entire set so for Therapy? to be able to play seven songs from their new album and keep the audience enthralled is quite an amazing accomplishment- the only other band that would be able to pull that off would be Metallica.
Usually if a band has played that many tracks from one album it would be easy to say that their new album dominated the set- however Therapy? being the ultimate live band decided to play so many tracks that the new songs probably only took up one third of the show.
As always with a group like Therapy? that have been around for what seems like an eternity, it will always be there older material that really sends the crowd wild- and that doesn't mean their new material is not as good- in fact if the truth be known 'High Anxiety' and 'Never Apologise Never Explain' are in my opinion so much better than Troublegum musically, however due to their older material being more nostalgic, the audience will always favour tracks like 'Die Laughing' and 'Screamager' over their newer tracks. Sure enough the crowd got what they wanted and were over indulged with sublime rock tracks spanning throughout Therapys? Entire career.
Andy Cairns as always was his usual witty self whilst talking to the audience he made a jibe about those talented people that appear in X Factor and Pop Idol TV programmes.
Once again Therapy? impressed the hell out of me, in total they played 20 songs, which is something rarely seen on the live circuit today. If you like to get your moneys worth then look no further than Therapy?
article by: Luke Seagrave
published: 29/11/2004 09:44
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.