Brixton Academy 08/02/07

Tonight’s event is in aid of the Hoping Foundation, a charity project in aid of Palestinian refugee children, a Political cause which you wouldn’t necessarily equate to Massive Attacks laid back musical style but does demonstrates the politicised undercurrent to their music which has always been there, maybe more so in the last few years with very vocal opposition to the war in Iraq but which began in the early 90’s with the enforced name change (dropping the Attack) imposed by several media outlets because of the connotations with the first gulf conflict and the incendiary nature of war.

The important message of the evening delivered its up to Spiritualized aka Jason Pierce aka J Spaceman to begin the evenings live entertainment with a stripped down acoustic version of the band he recently toured with under the Acoustic Mainline banner. Unfortunately Brixton aren’t having any of it and proceed to talk all the way through the performance, still politely clapping at the end of each song, which is ironic given the fact nobody was paying any attention to JP, Doggen (Spiritualized guitarist), the string quartet and gospel choir. I can imagine this version of the band would be knee quiveringly awesome given the right venue and a decent amount of volume but alas it isn’t going to happen here.

Massive Attack, no strangers to Brixton Academy having undertaken a five night residency here in April 2003 take to the stage and begin with False Flags, a recent b-side which returns to the dense, dark sound of 100^th Window, they started their set at Westonbirt Arboretum with the same song last summer, idly dragging the crowd into the gig, giving no indication of what was to come. And what was to come was special indeed. A journey through some of Massive Attacks finest moments of the last 17 years, Daddy G joins 3D for the thundering bass intro that segues into Rising Son, sending shivers down me spine. Inertia Creeps is another demonstration of the completely different kettle of fish that Massive Attack are live compared to what you get on vinyl, the band add so many different layers to the live sound that at times you forget that up until 8 or 9 years ago they were touring as a soundsystem with no intention of playing as a live band.

They do still retain the “collective” elements of the soundsystem though, they don’t hang around the stage Liam Gallagher style when not required, each person takes their turn and buggers off. No Frills. We are again joined by Daddy G for a laidback Karmacoma before which 3D informs us that we may be invading middle eastern countries for there oil but its not all bad cos we got some wicked break beats back in return ! next up long-time collaborator Horace Andy arrives for a bass laden version of Angel, so loud it nearly moved my bowels. The show continues with the introduction of Liz Fraser one time Cocteau Twin, for Black Milk and Teardrop with the political messages running throughout proceedings in the form of scrolling screens relaying data relevant to tonight’s charity cause, child mortality rates doubled in Iraq; 2,500 Palestinian children imprisoned since 2000; one-third of Gaza Strip children suffering from post-traumatic stress, Startling facts which hammer home the reason we are here.

Mezzanine gets an airing later in the evening, Daddy G rejoining 3D on stage which a couple of years ago during the recording of 100^th Window seemed a remote possibility. Thankfully for us they’ve put there differences aside, Grant recently saying “I've been in a relationship with Massive Attack for 20 years. It's not a very easy thing to say goodbye to. I love Massive Attack. It's as simple as that."

Touring vocalist Deborah Miller gets involved for Safe from Harm and Unfinished Sympathy, hitting notes so high in the latter that the whole of Brixton scream in awe each time she does. Massive Attack have been on top form tonight, they finish the encore with Group Four, the band members joined again by Liz Fraser, as noted earlier the band add so much to the live sound of certain songs and none more than with Group Four, they seem to transform from dub heavy trip hop (sorry dirty word I know) to rock out with as much gusto as any other band I’ve seen.

Massive Attack are truly one of this countries finest live acts, they improve with age. Their new album is not far away and I just know it will deliver the goods, just as they have tonight.

Rich & Kate