Therapy?, 28th November 2024, Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, Denmark

Archive photo: Zoran www.sonic-shot.com

Three decades have passed since Therapy? released their landmark breakthrough album Troublegum and, as the case is with so many other bands these days, the occasion is being marked on the current tour by the band performing the album in its entirety. This time around, the band also made a stop in Denmark, which is generally not the place they visit regularly. The last time they played Copenhagen was 12 years ago, when they played the same venue, but unlike then, last night’s show was sold out. And perhaps that witnesses the impact and importance of Troublegum. And while the band has over the decades released countless extremely strong records, some of them at least just as strong as Troublegum, the impact of this album on general audience is unmatchable.

The band took the stage undramatically to the notes of strings version of “Lunacy Booth”, a B-side from Isolation single, before ripping into a perfect opener “Stop It You’re Killing Me”. And that perfect opener was followed by what felt like a perfectly put setlist in general. Not only because of the fact that they played entire Troublegum, but also the order in which they played, as well as the choice of the other songs in the setist. The absolute focus was Trouglegum and the B-sides and the EPs that came out at that time, but we also got to hear some stuff from their releases that came before such as live favourites “Meat Abstract”, “Potato Junkie” and of course “Nausea” and “Teethgrinder”.

Choosing not to play the album ongs in the same order as they are on the album worked perfectly this evening, even though there is a certain charm to performing the album as it was intended, so to say.

The energy and positivity coming from the stage was infectious from the get-go which rubbed off on the crowd whoe were constantly, singing, clapping and jumping around. And it continued throughout the 85-minute-long show. It’s that genuine positivity and gratefulness that has always been such a crucial part of Therapy?’s live performances, regardless if they play a small club, major festival or a big venue.

But something did happen with the Danish crowd in these past 12 years since the band guested Copenhagen last time. First of all, the previous four times they played Danish capital were far from sold-out, but also crowds involvement at those shows was never to a degree of that from last night. Maybe it’s the fact that it has been such a long time since they played here last, or perhaps even more likely, it’s the fact that people knew they would get to hear the entire Troublegum album. Whatever the reason might’ve been, the result was, as the band’s singer/guitarist Andy J. Cairns put it, “The best show we ever played at this place”. To that can be added – one of the best shows they ever played on Danish soil.

Last night’s setlist was set to please, and please it did. They even added a rocking version of Hüsker Dü’s “Diane” which was featured in cello-version on 1995 Infernal Love, but there was also room for a single oddball in the form of B-side from Die Laughing single – the über catchy “Evil Elvis (The Lost Demo)”. It, however, went over most people’s heads. The setlist was perfect for this celebration of Troublegum, so much so that it seemed hard to miss some of the countless amazing tunes from the band’s rich career.

But the band is normally good at including songs from most of their albums in the setlists, so next time they stop by we’ll most likely get some stuff from the likes of Crooked Timber, A Brief Crack of Light, Suicide Pact – You First, Never Apologize, Never Explain and all the other strong albums. And yea guys, make sure it doesn’t take you another another 12 years before visiting Denmark.

SETLIST

1. Stop It You’re Killing Me
2. Isolation
3. Totally Random Man
4. Turn
5. Trigger Inside
6. Brainsaw
7. Unrequited
8. Unbeliever
9. Evil Elvis
10. Femtex
11. Hellbelly
12. Auto Surgery
13. Die Laughing
14. Lunacy Booth
15. Nowhere
    —————
16. Nausea
17. Meat Abstract
18. Potato Junkie
19. Teethgrinder
20. Diane
21. Knives
22. Screamager