Sydney – Monday 11 December, 2023. British post-punk icons THE THE will make a searing return to the Sydney Opera House in November 2024 for a two-night takeover of the acoustically transformed Concert Hall. After a sell-out Opera House debut in 2018, the ensemble will once again ignite the stage with their renowned catalogue of socio-politically charged synth-pop songs that continue to resonate.
Sydney Opera House Head of Music, Ben Marshall says: “When I was a teenager one of my closest friends sat me down and said, “given the music you like, I’m afraid you pretty much have to become a fan of The The”, and he was right, and I did. That friend died not long after introducing me to Matt Johnson’s evocative and emotional post-punk excursions, but rather than going on to avoid The The’s music, I went more deeply into his work, particularly Dusk – informed so much by Matt’s own loss – and his music was and remains a solace. In 2018 it was beyond a dream come true to present The The’s first Australian performances in nearly 30 years at Sydney Opera House – I had never seen them live before – and while I wish I could have seen it with my friend, I am so glad Matt is still mining his soul on stage for us all.”
Conceived in 1979 by singer-songwriter Matt Johnson, THE THE emerged through the grit and urgency of Britain’s new wave post-punk scene to create groundbreaking albums like 1983’s Soul Mining, which featured haunting pop classics “This is the Day” and “Uncertain Smile”. Joined in the mid-80s by The Smiths’ Johnny Marr on guitar, the band released the politically charged Infected (1986) and the scorching Mind Bomb (1989), further solidifying their status as post-punk legends as their songs moved from the personal to the political landscape.
Over a 16-year hiatus from the early 2000s, Johnson fueled a long-held passion for film scoring before announcing the band’s return with the long-awaited Record Store Day (2017) and a sold-out world tour, The Comeback Special.
Four decades on from their inception, one of the most revered bands in post-punk returns for a career-spanning set of distinctive, timeless and existential classics as part of their highly-anticipated 2024 Ensouled tour.
“The last two shows we played at Sydney Opera House were intensely enjoyable and highly memorable. We are delighted to be returning to one of the great music venues of the world.”
THE THE
