I left confused. Whilst the incessant messaging certainly took away from the sometimes brilliant music, it also polarised my thoughts on the worldwide problems, caused by the madmen pulling the strings. I went last night for the music, but came away wondering what exactly did I witness.Massive Attack, Co-op Arena, 5th June. 4/5
When a gig provokes anger, boredom, (limited) joy, frustration, and - crucially - discussion well into the following days, you know you've attended something that won't be simply forgotten in the annals of gig going.
There is always a debate on what people think a 'gig' should be - albums lovingly (slavishly?) reproduced for adoring paying fans, artistic interpretation of classics, messaging platforms, social gatherings and constructs, joyful outpourings of song and dance in a tough world and more - but Massive Attack certainly went on the attack at the Co-op with an unrelentingly painful message of the current state of global affairs.
To the ire of many - a steady trickle of fans were leaving the co-op from 40 mins onwards (including 2 of our group of 7) - Massive Attack started with climate change speeches and then spent 100 minutes of MK-Ultra-esque messaging on war, corruption, social media brainwashing, conpsiracies and more. For 45 minutes I missed a lot of the music, which tended towards lesser known tracks from Mezzanine, Heligoland and strange covers of Jeff Buckley and Ultravox, as i was brain dumped endless misery on Gaza and Israel.
Much like the Bob Dylan debate, I am of the opinion no band should simply do as the paying crowd demands, they are their own artists who can do exactly as they please as long as the can take the debate/backlash, and so going down this path was their choice. Massive Attack have never shied from controversy in this manner, but even I was slightly taken aback at the unrelenting and slightly torturous nature of the visuals. I think in there resided a point.
My patience and, dare I say, appetite for this sort of artistic license is pretty deep but even i was left feeling a little miffed when, finally, Unfinished Symphony rolled out to zero video background to heighten the musical experience but i was feeling a little hollow and couldn't properly appreciate finally seeing one of my favourite all time songs live. It took Karmacoma to settle and Teardrop was delivered with utter perfection. In fact, away from the visual assault, the music, and in particular the vocals (Horace Andy, Deborah Miller & Elizabeth Fraser), were top notch throughout.
I left feeling i'd seen something. My criticism would be that while messaging and awareness raising are very important, and Massive Attack have form, this was a gig without much hope or joy. Comparing it to Ezra Collective of 2 months earlier felt like polar opposites. Also the visuals did detract from the music, without doubt. There's a place for everything in art, and many will be disgruntled with shelling out £60 for that, but you couldn't deny they did something.
I left confused. Whilst the incessant messaging certainly took away from the sometimes brilliant music, it also polarised my thoughts on the worldwide problems, caused by the madmen pulling the strings. I went last night for the music, but came away wondering what exactly did I witness.
Massive Attack, Co-op Arena, 5th June. 4/5
When a gig provokes anger, boredom, (limited) joy, frustration, and - crucially - discussion well into the following days, you know you've attended something that won't be simply forgotten in the annals of gig going.
There is always a debate on what people think a 'gig' should be - albums lovingly (slavishly?) reproduced for adoring paying fans, artistic interpretation of classics, messaging platforms, social gatherings and constructs, joyful outpourings of song and dance in a tough world and more - but Massive Attack certainly went on the attack at the Co-op with an unrelentingly painful message of the current state of global affairs.
To the ire of many - a steady trickle of fans were leaving the co-op from 40 mins onwards (including 2 of our group of 7) - Massive Attack started with climate change speeches and then spent 100 minutes of MK-Ultra-esque messaging on war, corruption, social media brainwashing, conpsiracies and more. For 45 minutes I missed a lot of the music, which tended towards lesser known tracks from Mezzanine, Heligoland and strange covers of Jeff Buckley and Ultravox, as i was brain dumped endless misery on Gaza and Israel.
Much like the Bob Dylan debate, I am of the opinion no band should simply do as the paying crowd demands, they are their own artists who can do exactly as they please as long as the can take the debate/backlash, and so going down this path was their choice. Massive Attack have never shied from controversy in this manner, but even I was slightly taken aback at the unrelenting and slightly torturous nature of the visuals. I think in there resided a point.
My patience and, dare I say, appetite for this sort of artistic license is pretty deep but even i was left feeling a little miffed when, finally, Unfinished Symphony rolled out to zero video background to heighten the musical experience but i was feeling a little hollow and couldn't properly appreciate finally seeing one of my favourite all time songs live. It took Karmacoma to settle and Teardrop was delivered with utter perfection. In fact, away from the visual assault, the music, and in particular the vocals (Horace Andy, Deborah Miller & Elizabeth Fraser), were top notch throughout.
I left feeling i'd seen something. My criticism would be that while messaging and awareness raising are very important, and Massive Attack have form, this was a gig without much hope or joy. Comparing it to Ezra Collective of 2 months earlier felt like polar opposites. Also the visuals did detract from the music, without doubt. There's a place for everything in art, and many will be disgruntled with shelling out £60 for that, but you couldn't deny they did something.
Excellent review that pretty much nails it for me.Massive Attack, Co-op Arena, 5th June. 4/5
When a gig provokes anger, boredom, (limited) joy, frustration, and - crucially - discussion well into the following days, you know you've attended something that won't be simply forgotten in the annals of gig going.
There is always a debate on what people think a 'gig' should be - albums lovingly (slavishly?) reproduced for adoring paying fans, artistic interpretation of classics, messaging platforms, social gatherings and constructs, joyful outpourings of song and dance in a tough world and more - but Massive Attack certainly went on the attack at the Co-op with an unrelentingly painful message of the current state of global affairs.
To the ire of many - a steady trickle of fans were leaving the co-op from 40 mins onwards (including 2 of our group of 7) - Massive Attack started with climate change speeches and then spent 100 minutes of MK-Ultra-esque messaging on war, corruption, social media brainwashing, conpsiracies and more. For 45 minutes I missed a lot of the music, which tended towards lesser known tracks from Mezzanine, Heligoland and strange covers of Jeff Buckley and Ultravox, as i was brain dumped endless misery on Gaza and Israel.
Much like the Bob Dylan debate, I am of the opinion no band should simply do as the paying crowd demands, they are their own artists who can do exactly as they please as long as the can take the debate/backlash, and so going down this path was their choice. Massive Attack have never shied from controversy in this manner, but even I was slightly taken aback at the unrelenting and slightly torturous nature of the visuals. I think in there resided a point.
My patience and, dare I say, appetite for this sort of artistic license is pretty deep but even i was left feeling a little miffed when, finally, Unfinished Symphony rolled out to zero video background to heighten the musical experience but i was feeling a little hollow and couldn't properly appreciate finally seeing one of my favourite all time songs live. It took Karmacoma to settle and Teardrop was delivered with utter perfection. In fact, away from the visual assault, the music, and in particular the vocals (Horace Andy, Deborah Miller & Elizabeth Fraser), were top notch throughout.
I left feeling i'd seen something. My criticism would be that while messaging and awareness raising are very important, and Massive Attack have form, this was a gig without much hope or joy. Comparing it to Ezra Collective of 2 months earlier felt like polar opposites. Also the visuals did detract from the music, without doubt. There's a place for everything in art, and many will be disgruntled with shelling out £60 for that, but you couldn't deny they did something.
Massive Attack, Co-op Arena, 5th June. 4/5
When a gig provokes anger, boredom, (limited) joy, frustration, and - crucially - discussion well into the following days, you know you've attended something that won't be simply forgotten in the annals of gig going.
There is always a debate on what people think a 'gig' should be - albums lovingly (slavishly?) reproduced for adoring paying fans, artistic interpretation of classics, messaging platforms, social gatherings and constructs, joyful outpourings of song and dance in a tough world and more - but Massive Attack certainly went on the attack at the Co-op with an unrelentingly painful message of the current state of global affairs.
To the ire of many - a steady trickle of fans were leaving the co-op from 40 mins onwards (including 2 of our group of 7) - Massive Attack started with climate change speeches and then spent 100 minutes of MK-Ultra-esque messaging on war, corruption, social media brainwashing, conpsiracies and more. For 45 minutes I missed a lot of the music, which tended towards lesser known tracks from Mezzanine, Heligoland and strange covers of Jeff Buckley and Ultravox, as i was brain dumped endless misery on Gaza and Israel.
Much like the Bob Dylan debate, I am of the opinion no band should simply do as the paying crowd demands, they are their own artists who can do exactly as they please as long as the can take the debate/backlash, and so going down this path was their choice. Massive Attack have never shied from controversy in this manner, but even I was slightly taken aback at the unrelenting and slightly torturous nature of the visuals. I think in there resided a point.
My patience and, dare I say, appetite for this sort of artistic license is pretty deep but even i was left feeling a little miffed when, finally, Unfinished Symphony rolled out to zero video background to heighten the musical experience but i was feeling a little hollow and couldn't properly appreciate finally seeing one of my favourite all time songs live. It took Karmacoma to settle and Teardrop was delivered with utter perfection. In fact, away from the visual assault, the music, and in particular the vocals (Horace Andy, Deborah Miller & Elizabeth Fraser), were top notch throughout.
I left feeling i'd seen something. My criticism would be that while messaging and awareness raising are very important, and Massive Attack have form, this was a gig without much hope or joy. Comparing it to Ezra Collective of 2 months earlier felt like polar opposites. Also the visuals did detract from the music, without doubt. There's a place for everything in art, and many will be disgruntled with shelling out £60 for that, but you couldn't deny they did something.
At least 3 that I can rememberDid Liz sing on many songs?
At least 3 that I can remember
Seen WP loads of times and have never come away disappointed, I remember after a gig in Kendal asking David Gedge to play in Wigan, he just laughed.Wedding Present tonight were fantastic. Played Bizarro in its entirety (it’s 35 years old, fucking hell) along with other assorted ‘hits’.
Only downside was David Gedge responding to a question from the crowd and saying he was a rag. Had a chat with him afterwards - he’s a decent bloke otherwise.
Hopefully she starts performing more
Takes balls to do it knowing how unpopular it will make them to the punters.Sounds brilliant. Thanks for a great write-up.
I like it when bands plough their own furrow. I remember seeing Smashing Pumpkins at Glastonbury when the Mellon Collie album was a worldwide smash. The crowd turned up to hear the hits, but instead SP did an hour long, continuous jam set without a single recognisable song, nor any lyrics, or audience engagement whatsoever. Every now and then they’d tease the intro to some well-known song, but pull it back the second the crowd recognised it. By the end they’d alienated almost the entire main-stage audience. To this day I can’t make my mind up as to whether it was one of the most arrogant, or brilliant things I’ve ever seen. And that’s a great thing.
Great singer. Saw him support The Killers a few years ago. When The Killers came on some one was stood next to me in the aisle and it was Sam with the rest of his band. Security moved them on as they didn't have a seat!Sam Fender playing Saint James’ tonight and Saturday (no pun). Last time out the crowd and show looked mega, should be again.
I went 2 years ago when my friends son couldn't make it. Probably 1 of the most boring days of my life. Just don't get the fuss about him at all. He does, however, seem a really genuine guy who does a lot for his local community.Sam Fender playing Saint James’ tonight and Saturday (no pun). Last time out the crowd and show looked mega, should be again.
Will be interesting to see what you'll think of the gig, as last night there were thousands in their Black & White/Wor Sam outfits.im going to Sam Fender on Sunday at St James's Park, unsure what to expect really. I've been dealt a rough hand as the gig was perfect for us; War on Drugs in support for me (one of my favourite bands) and Sam Fender for my wife, she loves him. War on Drugs cancelled a couple of weeks ago :(
I dont know Hector Gannet, so i shall go and see what they're (he?) are like. Cheers, we'll have a grand time despite WOD pulling out.Will be interesting to see what you'll think of the gig, as last night there were thousands in their Black & White/Wor Sam outfits.
Appreciate that The War on Drugs pulling out is a big loss.
But, I personally enjoy both Olivia Dean & CMAT, who are now supporting, both are well worth seeing.
My mate's band are opening the gig - Hector Gannet, who are also excellent.
Have a great time...