The The

1980s UK pop music wasn't all about mullet haircuts and men sweating profusely in kilts and make-up, you know. It was also about Thatcher, strikes and the political, social, sexual, economic and spiritual malaise of a country.

While Spandau Ballet, Human League, ABC and Howard Jones were dallying with the superficial aspects of life, The The's Matt Johnson was roving around Britain with his bullshit detector, attempting to seek out a sliver of enlightenment amid the perennial discontent.

Astonishingly, the venue is packed, marking out Johnson as someone whose music actually meant something. Bathed in the shades and tones of a bona fide red-light district, he initially plays a raft of material from his recently released album, Naked Self. Guitar-heavy and visceral, it's dense, impacted music with an assured sense of melody and - surprise, surprise - texture. Occasionally, Johnson overreaches himself, but by and large this is rock music contained in a tight, concise package.

Inevitably, the biggest cheers are for The The's better-known songs (including This Is The Day and Infected). Not the most charming or open-hearted of performers, Matt Johnson nevertheless stands as a survivor of a time when rock music had vigorous socio-political/personal messages.

Judging by the audience reception, the need for such missives is as strong as ever.