The The will perform at Bergenfest 2025 Thursday, June 12.
“Soul” has been a recurring theme in the story of The The: From founder Matt Johnson’s neo-psychedelic debut “Burning Blue Soul” in 1981 to the groundbreaking “Soul Mining” in 1983. Now, a new chapter in The The saga is being written with the ongoing “Ensouled World Tour”.
To refer to The The as merely a band is an oversimplification. Johnson’s early experiments with reel-to-reel tape recordings in the basement of his family’s pub in Essex laid the foundation for an artistic collective rather than a traditional band. His first cassette release, See Without Being Seen from 1979, marked the beginning of a career that now spans four decades.
The breakthrough album “Soul Mining” set the standard for a rich and diverse musical landscape, combining electronic elements with traditional instruments. As Sounds magazine put it: “ready for the radio, the dance floor and those thoughtful interludes late at night.” Later albums like “Infected” (1986) and “Mind Bomb” (1989) carried this varied sound forward and expanded it further, with contributions from The Smiths’ Johnny Marr. Vocal contributions from artists such as Sinead O'Connor and Neneh Cherry have also left their mark on The The’s music, underscoring the group's position as a nexus for musical visionaries.
After a long hiatus, The The made a comeback in 2018, and are now ready to hit the road once more. Fans are hopeful for a new album, and Johnson hints that inspiration is flowing: “It feels like inspiration is finally taking over.” At Bergenfest, the audience can expect both new songs and timeless favorites like “This Is The Day” and “Uncertain Smile.” On this night, the former will take on an especially profound meaning – your life will surely change.