Portishead
Brixton Carling Academy, 17th April
Insecurity and worry litter the lyrics of Portishead’s Beth Gibbons. After a commanding performance at packed Brixton Academy, a Mercury Prize winning album and with their hotly tipped 3rd studio album Third on the brink of being released, one is baffled as to why she still left the stage saying, “I sang terrible, but next time...”
Portishead are a band brimming with nuance and complexity. Geoff Barrow, drummer and DJ, weaves samples and intricate beats into their work while guitarist Adrian Utley’s jazz background allows for virtuosity and supreme control. But it is Beth herself that so typifies the style; tripping over beats and soaring through phrases with as much ferocity as a drowning man trying to reach the surface. Her voice has a bite and beauty that is completely original. While female vocalists are very much in the spotlight today, none of them (not even Amy Winehouse) can profess to have such a unique sound.
After 11 years away from the limelight it must be good to be back. But Portishead are no strangers to withdrawal. They took a 3 year hiatus in between releasing their prize winning debut Dummy in 1994 and the innovative, orchestral Portishead in 1997 (much of which was expanded upon in Roseland NYC Live, released in 1998). Third sees them back to top form, adding a determined fire to their trademark grainy sound with songs that had the audience transfixed.
Highlights of the night included renditions of ‘Mysterons’ and ‘Wandering Star’ (Dummy) and an eerily-layered ‘Cowboys’ (Portishead), visualised by a 3 part video backdrop featuring live images of the band in black and white. The honeycomb effect used (think Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ video) added a psychedelic wash to the visuals which was perfectly analogous to the music.
Seeing them so focused and inventive was a joy, especially as they did so without any need for histrionics. Portishead wear their troubles in their music, not in coy side-glances or media-driven exposés. When Beth Gibbons came and greeted the audience at the end of the gig, her smile reflected the pure appreciation of the crowd. It is a mystery as to why she failed to recognise her brilliance, but perhaps it is this need for perfection that makes her and Portishead so untouchable.
Third is released on April 28th.
Guest
Date: Tue Apr 22, 2008 08:24 AM GMT
One of the broadsheet reviews mentioned the sound.... said something about a pause in the gig while things were sorted out.
Guest
Date: Mon Apr 21, 2008 02:40 PM GMT
Re. the sound. Where did you hear about sound problems? I read this review of the same gig at last fm:
"The sound was interesting - I think the Academy is a great-sounding venue (mainly because it's so big and interestingly-shaped), but to start with I thought the sound was a bit muddy. But it seems they were trying to emphasize Beth's voice over everything else. I dunno if it was an artistic choice or just a lack of time, but I think it worked quite well, at least in places. Certainly it's some of the best vocal mixing I've heard."
Dave Simpson
Date: Sat Apr 19, 2008 09:48 AM GMT
Maybe Beth was peed off about the sound problems they apparently had at Brixton??
Guest
Date: Sat Apr 19, 2008 09:45 AM GMT
I saw them too, in Manchester. They played Joy Division songs for half an hour before coming on, as if throwing themselves some kind of gauntlet down. They were awesome.
