NicoletteFr., 30. Okt. – Massive Attack, Martina Topley-Bird
Huh, I was a little bit afraid to see them, because I feel a strong connection to their music since a friend gave me a tape 15 or even 20 years ago.
"Put this shit into your walkman an get addicted to it!" I nodded, read his handmade cover saying „Massive Attack“ in gothic type style(!) and thought: "Wow, probably some sick speedmetalcrap - but the tape is good, I can dub it later with some cool stuff!"
I never dubbed it, because it just took half the tapelength to get addicted. : )
Time went by and a lot of things changed - vinyl and tapes went to CDs, CDs and tapes went MP3s, ... - a lot of music had to leave my collection - Massive Attack always grew with me. (Or did I grow with them?)
Every new album was brilliant, - great tracks, surprising sounds, vocals and lyrics - an unbelivable openmindness by integrating extremly different influences (check the baseline of
Stratus from 1973) – or by collaboration with all the people I already knew and loved (Elizabeth Fraser, Mad Professor, Tricky, Horace Andy, Sinéad O'Connor) – or artists I did not know and learned to love (Nicolette, Martina Topley-Bird).
But I never thougt about seeing them live, because it`s always been an electronic studio-project to me. A great one, but nothing to look at. I had no imagination what happens in a Massive Attack live performance. Two nerds behind laptops and someone singing in the dark? I always was bored by seeing guys behind turntables and sampler stuff on stages. Concerts with no drumsets are waste of time.
So I was a little nervous to be disappointed after the show. It`s no fun to bury a hughe dream like that. : (
But I went there. And there was no reason to worry! : )
In fact the name says it all – Massive Attack – they attacked my brain, heart, soul and made my body move– with full force. What a show!
The opener, Martina Topley Bird with Loopstation and NinjaDrummer, was cute, crazy and funny, but sounded a little „thin“.
After that the roadies prepared the stage for Massive Attack and I knew - I will be save from harm - e v e r y t h i n g is fine.
They prepared a bunch of keyboards, a guitar, some bassguitars and two big drumsets.
The show began and immidiatly took of.
No fake, no shit, no messing around – just pure truth, pure beauty and pure magic.
Energy from all the musicians (it was so cool to see the two drummers interact and I guess the guy on the bassguitar has the best job on earth), brilliant sound – great band!
They played a good mix old/new stuff. Either I thougth: „What a cool new song!“ or „Yes, thats my most favourite!“/ „No this one is!“ (probably 10 times).
The light show was impressive in two ways: On one hand they had a great viarity of different very cool moods and options, on the other they used the LEDs in the background to screen messages, quotes or just facts. All in german, so everybody could get the message.
Prices for example. The amount of a politicians income, the costs of healthcare for a child in africa and the price for a piece of Damien Hirsts PlatinumDiamondsSkullArtBullshit. Just the costs – no comments. To see this in relation – lead to a strange feeling.
A band using her live performance to ask questions about society and the world we live in – not saying: Do this or do that! – I really like this aspect of the show.
I did expect a lot of awareness but didn`t expect this „social“ consciousness.
Each of the guest musicians was highly likable, unpretentious, concentrated, connected to the flow and gave his unique part to this celebration of beauty and magic. The unbelivable voice of the gospel lady ( Sarah Nelson? , Deborah Miller), her tambourine-playing left me speechless, the dignity of Mr. Horace Andy and his singing drove me to tears and the voice and appearance of Martina Topley Bird is not to describe with words.... To see her shine and hear her sing her own interpretation of „Teardrop“ was the most impressing moment of the show.
It was very exiting to see 3D act on stage – he is beside great singing, kind of a weedy devil and the master of ceremony - you see and feel that the whole thing comes out of his head - its pretty cool to see him lead the band by shaking his shaker in real wicked rhythmic patterns. The other guy is more laid back. He suprised me by starting the track „I Set My Face To The Hillside“ (wich is my favourite from Tortoise album „TNT“) after the show.
This evening made me very, very happy! Thanx for that!
Massive Attack and me – this story will go on – thats good news!
Huh, I was a little bit afraid to see them, because I feel a strong connection to their music since a friend gave me a tape 15 or even 20 years ago.
"Put this shit into your walkman an get addicted to it!" I nodded, read his handmade cover saying „Massive Attack“ in gothic type style(!) and thought: "Wow, probably some sick speedmetalcrap - but the tape is good, I can dub it later with some cool stuff!"
I never dubbed it, because it just took half the tapelength to get addicted. : )
Time went by and a lot of things changed - vinyl and tapes went to CDs, CDs and tapes went MP3s, ... - a lot of music had to leave my collection - Massive Attack always grew with me. (Or did I grow with them?)
Every new album was brilliant, - great tracks, surprising sounds, vocals and lyrics - an unbelivable openmindness by integrating extremly different influences (check the baseline of
Stratus from 1973) – or by collaboration with all the people I already knew and loved (Elizabeth Fraser, Mad Professor, Tricky, Horace Andy, Sinéad O'Connor) – or artists I did not know and learned to love (Nicolette, Martina Topley-Bird).But I never thougt about seeing them live, because it`s always been an electronic studio-project to me. A great one, but nothing to look at. I had no imagination what happens in a Massive Attack live performance. Two nerds behind laptops and someone singing in the dark? I always was bored by seeing guys behind turntables and sampler stuff on stages. Concerts with no drumsets are waste of time.
So I was a little nervous to be disappointed after the show. It`s no fun to bury a hughe dream like that. : (
But I went there. And there was no reason to worry! : )
In fact the name says it all – Massive Attack – they attacked my brain, heart, soul and made my body move– with full force. What a show!
The opener, Martina Topley Bird with Loopstation and NinjaDrummer, was cute, crazy and funny, but sounded a little „thin“.
After that the roadies prepared the stage for Massive Attack and I knew - I will be save from harm - e v e r y t h i n g is fine.
They prepared a bunch of keyboards, a guitar, some bassguitars and two big drumsets.
The show began and immidiatly took of.
No fake, no shit, no messing around – just pure truth, pure beauty and pure magic.
Energy from all the musicians (it was so cool to see the two drummers interact and I guess the guy on the bassguitar has the best job on earth), brilliant sound – great band!
They played a good mix old/new stuff. Either I thougth: „What a cool new song!“ or „Yes, thats my most favourite!“/ „No this one is!“ (probably 10 times).
The light show was impressive in two ways: On one hand they had a great viarity of different very cool moods and options, on the other they used the LEDs in the background to screen messages, quotes or just facts. All in german, so everybody could get the message.
Prices for example. The amount of a politicians income, the costs of healthcare for a child in africa and the price for a piece of Damien Hirsts PlatinumDiamondsSkullArtBullshit. Just the costs – no comments. To see this in relation – lead to a strange feeling.
A band using her live performance to ask questions about society and the world we live in – not saying: Do this or do that! – I really like this aspect of the show.
I did expect a lot of awareness but didn`t expect this „social“ consciousness.
Each of the guest musicians was highly likable, unpretentious, concentrated, connected to the flow and gave his unique part to this celebration of beauty and magic. The unbelivable voice of the gospel lady (
It was very exiting to see 3D act on stage – he is beside great singing, kind of a weedy devil and the master of ceremony - you see and feel that the whole thing comes out of his head - its pretty cool to see him lead the band by shaking his shaker in real wicked rhythmic patterns. The other guy is more laid back. He suprised me by starting the track „I Set My Face To The Hillside“ (wich is my favourite from Tortoise album „TNT“) after the show.
This evening made me very, very happy! Thanx for that!
Massive Attack and me – this story will go on – thats good news!
