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ATP - The Nightmare Before Xmas - Portishead Review

09th December 2007 | by Gavin Riley

One of the most indelible memories of my early years is watching Beth Gibbons and Portishead perform live at the Roseland Theatre in New York, smoking a cigarette, while belting out note perfect renditions of 'Glory Box' et al.

So skip forward ten years, and Portishead are not just content with performing live for the first time in a decade. They are immersed in creating memories for their legions of fans who have flocked to see them. And how they succeed....

Portishead are simply sublime. It doesn't matter whether they are playing material from Dummy, Portishead or their as yet untitled third album, you'd have to be Julian Cope not to be captivated by the imagery, the stage presence and the aura that is Portishead.

So after ten long years (not counting the Bristol tsunami benefit concert), Portishead completed their first full set in nearly a decade. Beth, clearly overcome by the reaction of the audience, jumped down to thank them. Then realising she was a bit short to climb back onstage, she had to seek help from those around her to get back up.

Thanking the crowd once more, she said: “I'm sorry if we played a note wrong or whatever, but thank you so much for being so nice to us.”

Needless to say the appreciation was roared back towards her direction. Time has not changed Portishead, but they have evolved into a band so big, so important, that it's nice to see that they haven't become arrogant and pretentious. Maybe they could sit down and have a chat with Julian Cope.

Look out for more photos and a full live review of Day 2 later.......

Comments

Birdybee

commented 6 months ago

Only wish i could have been there. :-( Looks stunning

Jade

commented 6 months ago

Amazing photos!!!

you're so lucky you got to see them live!

Can you believe that this post actually says they shouldn't release a new album?!

Chris

commented 6 months ago

The gig was fantastic. Liked the sound of the new stuff as well, there's a definite shift uptempo to most of it. I think it was one of the most reverential audiences I've ever seen: it's very rare crowds stay completely silent for several seconds at the end of a song, like they did with (I think it was Wandering Star).

What a gig :).

Maria

commented 6 months ago

Great photos Gavin, the first one is simply stunning..... wish i was there :-(, come play Roseland again....we need you Portishead......xoxo

Maria

commented 6 months ago

Oh and Jade, i'd ignore rants like that. They're obviously not true fans. Portishead are one in a million, they are needed on record now as much as ever......xoxo

shampoo

commented 5 months ago

I can understand why ppl want no more albums from Portishead, they don't want the memory of P diminished. But i reckon if they bring out a decent enuff album, everyone will go home pleased.

PS: Photos = stunning, best on the web.

Maria

commented 5 months ago

I'm curious as to how the memory of Portishead can be diminished. Okay, they could bring out a duff album, but "Portishead" and "Dummy" will go down as two of the greatest albums ever.....xoxo

frankie

commented 3 months ago

hey guyz, came across your website from Brooklyn Vegan, i absolutely love all of the photos that you did from the Portishead 3-dayer. I'm venturing across for the ATP v Pitchfork one by London in May, cant wait... hope it's half as exciting as this one