Fans were thrilled to see Johnny Marr rejoin the The The fold for the band’s comeback single last year, but the ex-Smiths guitarist did not join Matt Johnson’s touring band for its first concert dates in 16 years this summer — presumably as he had his own album to promote. Tonight, though, they did perform together in London.
Just a week into his The The comeback tour, bandleader Matt Johnson was hit with devastating news today as he learned that his 86-year-old father, Edward Charles Johnson, had died, according to a statement posted to the band’s official Facebook page. Read the full statement here.
Matt Johnson debuted the 2018 incarnation of The The on Friday night, playing a 24-song, career-spanning set to open the first of three warm-up gigs for the highly anticipated Comeback Special tour — a show that marked The The’s first live performance in 16 years. See the full setlist right here.
After slowly rolling out The The reunion dates in the U.K. and Europe, bandleader Matt Johnson today announced an 8-date North American run that marks the band’s first shows on the continent in 18 years, since the tour in support of 2000’s Nakedself. Full details right here.
[tweetmeme]Matt Johnson continues to slowly expand The The’s highly anticipated return to the concert stage this year, announcing two more concerts this summer: a July 6 date in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a Sept. 3 show in Newcastle, England. Tickets for both shows are on sale now.
Matt Johnson continues the slow roll-out of The The’s highly anticipated return to the concert state, announcing four more U.K. concerts this September around the newly resurrected band’s appearance at Festival No. 6. The band is now slated to play 14 shows this year. See the band’s full dates here.
Matt Johnson will now open The The’s highly anticipated return with a trio of “very low-key warm-up shows” in the U.K. this May prior to a headlining performance at a Denmark festival and what’s being called the “London Trilogy” of sold-out concerts this summer. See the band’s full dates here.
Q&A: Daniel Ash on Love and Rockets’ reunion, his new band — and figuring out how to play “So Alive” 
Q&A: Chris Frantz talks Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club and new book ‘Remain in Love’ 
Q&A: Steve Wynn on The Dream Syndicate’s first new album in nearly 30 years 
Q&A: Bauhaus’ David J on his ‘accidental’ concept album ‘Not Long For This World’ 
Q&A: Peter Murphy on ‘Ninth,’ Bauhaus’ break-up, reuniting Dalis Car 
Q&A: Joey Santiago on Pixies’ ‘Doolittle’ tour, possible ‘Surfer Rosa’ shows, new album talk 
Q&A: Prefab Sprout’s Paddy McAloon on new album, changing the world with music 
Q&A: Peter Hook talks ‘Unknown Pleasures’ tour, re-recording Joy Division 