THE Treatment VENUE – O2 Ritz, Manchester

DATE – 17th September 2024

Words-Graeme Wright

Photographs-Graeme Wright also photos taken by Scott Anderson in Glasgow

REVIEW

I’ve seen The Treatment a number of times over the last few years and their progression as a unit has been remarkable. They are as tight as can be and the whole band exude the words “rock stars” from every fiber of their being. For those that don’t know them yet they are clearly influenced by AC-DC (to the extent that they enter the arena to the sound of Highway To Hell.)

The addition of vocalist Tom Rampton was the final piece of the jigsaw for a band who have been around since 2008 and he is straight into the opening track from their latest album ‘Wake Up The Neighbourhood ‘, the suitably monikered ‘Let’s Wake Up This Town’. This band are obviously hugely popular and the crowd are immediately “at it “ as the first few bars of this absolute banger hits us with an immediate assault on our aural senses. This song goes down a storm and is immediately followed by ‘Let It Begin’ which is another “runaway train” of a track if I’m to paraphrase the record. The crowd all know the chorus and it’s clear how well loved this outfit now are.

‘Eyes On You’ is another old favorite with a bluesy swagger and an immediate hook and chorus that has the audience dancing in the aisles. ‘When Thunder And Lightning Strikes’ is a high energy chugger of a tune and ‘Man On The Highwire’ is probably the heaviest song this band have ever produced. ‘Bite Back’ sees the Grey brothers prowling the stage with supreme confidence with a song that has a prime AC-DC vibe to the proceedings.

‘This Fire Still Burns’ is another big song from the new album and it sounds excellent in the live arena.The set closes with ‘Running With The Dogs’ from the early days of The Treatment and it’s a superb ending to a Rolls Royce of a show. The only criticism I could possible have is that with this being a support show there were so many great songs that didn’t get an airing, but thus was highly entertaining. Roll on the next headline tour.

Band

Tom Rampton – Lead Vocals

Tagore Grey – Guitar/Backing Vocals

Tao Grey – Guitar/Backing Vocals

Andy Milburn – Bass

Dahni Mansworth – Drums

SETLIST

1. Let’s Wake Up This Town

2. Let It Begin

3. Eyes On You

4. When Thunder And Lightning Strikes

5. Man On The Highwire

6. Bite Back

7. This Fire Still Burns

8. Running With The Dogs