Ricky Warwick took to the stage in a confident mood and played like a man on a mission. One man, one voice, one six string and one hell of a back catalogue to work through.

Having been through these parts as recently as last month with Love/Hate, the songs offered up tonight were some old, some new, some borrowed and some blue. It's not rocket science, ladies and gents, just good ol' have guitar will travel "free and easy" rock n roll. We get some classic Almighty to open the set then the greatest love song ever written, so Ricky says, in 'Ace Of Spades' and who are we to disagree? It was a similar set to last month but, doing a support set, we were never going to get a load of new songs off the superb 'Belfast Confetti' but the best was saved for last with the fantastic ode to Belfast, 'The Arms Of Belfast Town'.

The crowd seemed to really enjoy Mr Warwick and his stripped bare music, and sang along with every word as we saw a man more than comfortable in his heavily tattooed skin play some dirty rock n roll just like his heroes used to, and long may Ricky stay in love with rock n roll and keep playing every nook and cranny of this island with his stories of love, passion and rock n roll. It's people like this who still keep live music so exciting and keep people like me coming back for more - maybe next time it might be with a band or The Almighty or solo again....either way, I'll be happy.

Therapy?, a band that seem to have straddled genre after genre of musical landscape shifting yet, can play with anyone be it metal or indie or classic rock or pop and folk alike...and more than hold their own. They are still out there doing their thing and doing it louder than most others, seemingly oblivious to the changes to the business they are in. New album in tow, they rode into town for the first night of their tour proper that takes them pretty much everywhere just like bands used to, but no longer do. Again, not being slaves to any fashion or trend, Therapy? are about to embark on forty two dates in fifty four days.

They strut onto the stage like they mean business and let rip with a dedication to Spike Milligan in 'Told You I Was Ill'. Fuck me, this band are a full-on decibel assault. For three polite and well spoken gentlemen they kick up an unholy three pronged aural assault that is forceful, brutal and beautiful all at the same time. There are punks, metal heads, indie kids and curious punters alike in this very healthy midweek crowd that, it would be fair to say, lap up what Therapy? offer. What delights are we in store for tonight? Will it be a greatest hits set? The new album in its entirety? A mixture of both or rare tracks off the less commercial albums for the uber Therapy? fans that are in the house?

The set seemed to enter a bit of a lull after about half way through their 90 minute show but maybe that was intentional or the band are feeling their way into the new material and will no doubt mix it up as they go along the tour. The encore is when all hell broke lose and the last twenty minutes would be worth the admission fee alone. 'Nowhere', 'Isolation', a little intro of 'Teenage Kicks', 'Sweet Leaf' and 'Nowhere Man' were all sneaked in on one or other tracks. A mosh pit of men who probably will regret it in the morning surrendered themselves to the likes of 'Die Like A Mother Fucker' and, of course, 'Screamager'; 'Die Laughing' was dedicated to Stephen Gately and Michael Jackson. There are so many great songs they can play and actually do; 'Rust'  being a personal highlight tonight as it punched its way through the dry ice filled air. 

Earlier, on the way to the gig, we talked about our favourite songs and I included 'If It Kills Me', 'Hey Satan, You Rock', 'Rise Up', 'Sprung', 'Dopamine, Seratonin, Adrenaline', 'Not That Kind Of Girl', 'Knives' and 'Church Of Noise' - there's a set list in itself. Guess how many of these they played on the night? Yes, you can laugh and I bet Andy, Michael and Neil are laughing their titties off that they actually played not one single favourite of mine (amazingly) but still managed to play for ninety minutes and not disappoint at all. 

Thank the lord for bands like Therapy? and with next year being their 20th anniversary I'm pretty sure we'll be stood down the front yet again. Gentlemen, when you read this please can you do a few of my faves next time, even if it does mean you have to stay on stage for a couple of hours. Considering this was the opening night of the tour, it all went swimmingly well and they sounded right on the money from the off. If you happen to be lucky enough to catch this band in a couple of weeks time when they're in the zone, be prepared for a night you won't forget for a long time after - Therapy? are still one hell of a force to be reckoned with in the noughties and know exactly what it takes to kick the shit out any venue anywhere on this planet. Never mind satan, Hey Therapy?, you rock \m/