- Er-Ma-Gurd! Therapy? Are in the house!!!!
Talk about a blast from the past, Therapy? Are celebrating 30 years of Troublegum their iconic album and the soundtrack to the youth of so many here in Northern Ireland—one of our finest exports and ageing like a fine wine. The lads are back in Belfast after a more intimate show at The Limelight the last time we caught them to a glorious homecoming. It’s not too often we have these guys back on our shores playing their finest hits so we have to appreciate times like this.
These guys were absolutely one of the bands who provided the soundtrack to my youth back in the day, a young spotty (yet somehow still gorgeous) teenage metalhead who lived for the rock and the roll back in the day, absorbing all that he could on the local rock and metal scene back in the day, Drury Lane, Vico’s, The Rosetta Bar, Downstairs in Robinson’s this little lady lived his best life the only way he knew how with a bottle of MD20/20 in one hand and a guitar pick in the other! Life was simple, life was good! Fast forward 30 odd years and in the past while I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing the lads at Bloodstock post shamdemic, and capturing them courtesy of the BBC as they were interviewed about their illustrious career to date.
So when you are in the local music scene here in N.Ireland your paths are inevitably intertwined, here we are once again reunited as the Belfast masses gather to pay respect once again to the mighty Therapy? I can see people from the local music scene, band members of local rock bands in the crowd tonight out to pay their respects, to revel in the glorious soundtrack that awaits us. Up first tho we have one of Northern Ireland’s current crop of Alt-Rock alchemists Enola Gay.
These guys are a powerful quartet who have been ripping it up over the last few years carving themselves a reputation on the local scene that has rightly earned themselves a place on a stage of this stature alongside our local legends. Enola Gay have a vibe all their own, a hard-hitting band with an edge as sharp as a knife! Think Idles, Fever 333, Bob Vylan and the likes angst in abundance, their sound is huge, layered in modulation and digital effects, the drums pummelling the Belfast crowd and their frontman spitting out lyrics like bullets, what’s not to love! The Belfast crowd are somewhere in shock and unable to process what they are witnessing, those who are in the know are rocking the fuck out! A short but sweet set whets the appetite and before you know it the lights are back on for the roadies setting up the stage for the arrival of Norn Iron’s finest.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
Before it all kicks off in Ernest one of Northern Ireland’s finest musical journalists Mike Edgar gives a more than worthy introduction to the band sighting their history and the indelible mark Therapy? Have left on the musical landscape of Northern Ireland. It can’t be understated, for many who live through these times it’s not always obvious or easy to see but Therapy? Have done something truly remarkable for a small diy band form this island.
The lights dim and the 3 figures take to the stage to rapturous applause, these guys are home and it feels good. The music I hear you ask, what about the music? As expected a powerhouse performance from the band, Michael (McKeegan) smiling like a Cheshire Cat the whole way through the set, Andy (Cairns) feet planted firmly on the floor belting out all those Therapy? classics, the room is bouncing, the crowd singing along with every word, The Ulster Hall is on fire! The room is bathed in red light as it sprays the walls like a scene from Friday the 13th or Carrie.
All I can see are people living their best lives once again like that spotty teenager (Now a gorgeous mawn!) the crowd goes apeshit at the end of every song, Andy tries his best to chat with the audience to keep them up to speed but the noise is deafening, the appreciation is overwhelming, it’s emotional I am sure for both the band and their army of fans who have turned out in droves this evening as the band slay their way through a majestic classic album. The audience is in a frenzy with each and every track, more boisterous as the night goes on and Therapy? is feeding off their energy, tonight’s performance is being recorded I believe by the BBC for posterity and it will no doubt go down in local music folklore as one of the best nights at this iconic venue, as Mike Edgar explained earlier everyone has played here, Led Zepplin, AC/DC, Def and beyond. A setting worthy of a night such as this, an iconic venue, an iconic band, pushing themselves year after year, from humble DIY beginnings to a glorious hometown return Therapy? encapsulate everything special about the Northern Ireland music scene and long may that continue.
Belfast came out to support the lads, to thank them for the legacy they have given us, the platform for many other bands to launch themselves off of, this night will mean so much to so many, even more so to that trio on stage. An explosive performance in front of a hungry crowd made for one of the best nights of rock Belfast had seen in quite a while.
Photography: Mark McGrogan
THERAPY?
Andy Cairns – Vocals/Guitar
Michael McKeegan – Bass
Neil Cooper – Drums
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