Therapy Tear Up the Stage at Concorde 2 in Brighton!

Written by Louise Phillips on December 12, 2023

It may be 34 years since Northern Irish Rockers Therapy? first took the UK music scene by storm but tonight as they took to the stage at Concorde 2 in Brighton, as part of their long anticipated ‘Hard Cold Fire’ tour in support of their new album of the same name, they proved that they are just as relevant and just as rocking as ever!

With support from Norwegian Rockers Bokassa who were a phenomenal three piece who certainly deserved their spot on the bill tonight! Punky as hell with heavy riffs and contagious melodies. They were so damn good!

Therapy? with Andy Cairns on guitar and vocals, Neil Cooper on drums and vocals and Michael McKeegan on bass proved themselves to be a formidable force as they played a twenty-four song set featuring much of their back catalogue, which remained strong alongside their newer material from their new album ‘Hard Cold Fire’.

Taking to the stage with ‘They Shoot the Terrible Master’ from their new album, a balls to the wall rockin’ track with Cairns formidable vocals and Cooper’s driving drums! With McKeegans punchy basslines and Cairn’s catchy as hell chorus, this has surely got to be a future single release?

‘Poundland of Hope and Glory’ was a standout track with its pounding guitars and catchy vocals. ‘Ugly’ was in your face hard rock with the powerful lyrics reminiscent of their earlier material. There’s no doubt that Therapy’s new album, whilst showing a newer and perhaps more polished side to the band is still bursting with the ballsy no holds barred heavy rock so well loved from their 90’s heyday!

Cairns showed a real humility as he spoke about hopelessness and the injustice of the government clearing away the tents of homeless people. This is a man who cares deeply about others, as he shared that his wife works with homeless people and how saddened he was by the plight.

Whilst this tour was to promote their new album, the fans were not left disappointed as the when Therapy returned for their encore, they played the blistering ‘Screamager’ and ‘Nowhere’ from their hugely successful 1994 album ‘Troublegum’ to ecstatic applause!! And it sounded heavier and hotter than ever!! So, the question has to be, is this a resurrection for Therapy, could they be climbing their way up the album charts once again? If today’s show is anything to go by, then the answer has to be a resolute YES!

Words and photos by Louise Phillips

Photos of Therapy?