Portishead and Mercury Rev - Therbarton Theatre, Adelaide
17th November 2011
Words: Rob Lyon
Words: Rob Lyon
Portishead are much revered for a music lover. It’s widely accepted they are just one of those bands that have to be seen live, despite the rare nature of their touring schedule and their absence from regular recording. It’s been over a decade since Portishead were last on our shores, and as it turns out, the wait has certainly been worth it.
Thanks to three major Harvest Festival sideshows in Adelaide this week, most people in attendance tonight were certainly showing the effects of catching The National / The Walkmen show two nights earlier and The Flaming Lips only the night before, but nothing could short circuit the electricity circulating the room tonight.
No doubt there was something special about this gig, made even better having New York's Mercury Rev along for the ride.
Having played Adelaide just once in their career and with the distinct possibility of no future return, it was important to savor this show. The band was tight and on their game, and even though the valiant efforts of front man Johnathan Donahue attempting to win over a tough crowd did at times seem like it was in vain, it was a great set regardless. Songs like Holes, Opus 40, Butterfly’s Wings and The Dark Is Rising proved to be especially rousing.
Thanks to three major Harvest Festival sideshows in Adelaide this week, most people in attendance tonight were certainly showing the effects of catching The National / The Walkmen show two nights earlier and The Flaming Lips only the night before, but nothing could short circuit the electricity circulating the room tonight.
No doubt there was something special about this gig, made even better having New York's Mercury Rev along for the ride.
Having played Adelaide just once in their career and with the distinct possibility of no future return, it was important to savor this show. The band was tight and on their game, and even though the valiant efforts of front man Johnathan Donahue attempting to win over a tough crowd did at times seem like it was in vain, it was a great set regardless. Songs like Holes, Opus 40, Butterfly’s Wings and The Dark Is Rising proved to be especially rousing.
After what seemed like an eternity, the lights dimmed and it was a droning, pulse-like reverberation that took hold of the Thebarton Theatre. A distorted “P” appeared, flickering on the stage’s backdrop, whilst shadowed figures moved into place. Ultimately though, it was the familiar stature of front woman Beth Gibbons, stepping up behind the mic stand, which heralded the start of Portishead.
Kicking off with Silence, it didn’t take long for the band to hit top form. In addition to the usual suspects of Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley, there were a slew of extra musicians to add a much richer depth to the band's sound. It certainly paid off, as everything about this show was pure perfection, with not a thing out of place.
The visual projections were astounding. Differentiating and complementing each respective song; some taking in live footage, others pre recorded. There were effects and short films adding even more meaning to songs such as The Rip.
There wasn’t a huge amount of personal interaction with the crowd other than the obligatory “thank you” between songs, the band instead letting the music to do the talking. Given the reaction of the crowd, the music was more than enough.
It was hard not to be in awe of Portishead as they weaved their way through their incredibly complex back catalogue, reaffirming exactly how many truly great songs they have in their armoury. Sour Times and Glory Box made the night that much sweeter, with Chase The Tear enough to push any punter over the edge.
Kicking off with Silence, it didn’t take long for the band to hit top form. In addition to the usual suspects of Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley, there were a slew of extra musicians to add a much richer depth to the band's sound. It certainly paid off, as everything about this show was pure perfection, with not a thing out of place.
The visual projections were astounding. Differentiating and complementing each respective song; some taking in live footage, others pre recorded. There were effects and short films adding even more meaning to songs such as The Rip.
There wasn’t a huge amount of personal interaction with the crowd other than the obligatory “thank you” between songs, the band instead letting the music to do the talking. Given the reaction of the crowd, the music was more than enough.
It was hard not to be in awe of Portishead as they weaved their way through their incredibly complex back catalogue, reaffirming exactly how many truly great songs they have in their armoury. Sour Times and Glory Box made the night that much sweeter, with Chase The Tear enough to push any punter over the edge.
Over featured some incredibly impressive live DJ scratching combined with deeply heavy grooves, making for a subtle yet poignant contrast to the rest of the show. Threads was epic beyond all proportions, and had that been the end of the show, most would have been well and truly satisfied. The band briefly left the stage to rapturous applause before returning for a brief encore.
By this stage it looked like there was a great vibe on stage. Completely aware they’d played an absolute ripper of a show, Portishead closed out proceedings with Roads and a truly epic version of We Carry On, thus perfectly rounding out this rare moment of musical brilliance.
Portishead set list:
Silence
Hunter
Nylon Smile
Mysterons
The Rip
Sour Times
Magic Doors
Wandering Star
Machine Gun
Over
Glory Box
Chase the Tear
Cowboys
Threads
Encore:
Roads
We Carry On
By this stage it looked like there was a great vibe on stage. Completely aware they’d played an absolute ripper of a show, Portishead closed out proceedings with Roads and a truly epic version of We Carry On, thus perfectly rounding out this rare moment of musical brilliance.
Portishead set list:
Silence
Hunter
Nylon Smile
Mysterons
The Rip
Sour Times
Magic Doors
Wandering Star
Machine Gun
Over
Glory Box
Chase the Tear
Cowboys
Threads
Encore:
Roads
We Carry On