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Massive Attack
Massive Attack was the definition of calm and collected class in a moment of would-be band crisis.
The Bristol, England, band brought its sonic landscape of ethereal trip-hop to ACL’s AT&T Stage for a headlining slot that was nothing short of spectacular. The set was even heroic considering that the band only appeared as half of its core.
The act typically performs with Robert del Naja (3D) and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, as well as a revolving cast of musicians, DJs and collaborators. Early in the set, 3D announced that Marshall would be missing the show because he had provided the only legitimate excuse for missing a gig: His wife gave birth to a baby last night.
“I’d like to introduce an angel named Elizabeth,” said 3D, inciting applause from die-hard fans as former Cocteau Twins chanteuse Elizabeth Fraser emerged from a shadowy stage right.
Fraser hasn’t performed in Austin — or much at all in the United States — in years, although Massive Attack was able to convince her to accompany it stateside for this year’s Coachella festival. Fans close enough to the front of the stage — or the fans who could decipher her image in the gigantic screen — were seemingly the only audience members able to determine for sure Fraiser’s rare appearance.
Massive Attack played an inspired set. A massive highlight was the emotive Fraser classic, “Teardrops.” The band pleased tens of thousand of festival patrons who were either in the know on some of the innovators of electronic music or are from Texas and have seen Willie Nelson headline a show in Austin multiple times before.
Fraser emerged in flowing, pale white clothes, appearing just as as angelic as 3D had described, and made multiple more appearances to sing all af her now famous tracks from Massive Attack’s classic electronica/trip-hop album, “Mezzanine.”
(photo by Ricardo Brazziell AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: 2006 Reviews
Comments
By Superjudge
September 18, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
It was a massive trip. The light show was brilliant and quite effective. The percussionists couldn’t have been more perfect. They ended their mythical set with a massive climax. Then I went home with a massive headache. Definately the most explosive show at ACL this year.
By Kevin Lenahan
September 18, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
A MASSIVE BORE! PURE CRAP! We should of seen Willie.
By PT
September 17, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
MASSIVE ATTACK OWNED FACES!!!!
By Editor
September 17, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the mistakes. Thanks to your comments, we’ve made corrections in the review.
By Wincing Fan
September 17, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
The off-key singing was downright unbearable. Being relatively unfamiliar with Massive Attack’s music, I just spent a while searching around to see if they’re into atonal singing. I don’t think they are. They should probably try rehearsing.
By Jeff
September 17, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Mandy, I believe the singer you asked about is Deborah Miller. According to postings on MA’s forums she has been touring with MA for a while. We didn’t get to see all of their set (we listened to Willie for a bit first, although the sound at his stage was awful) but what we heard of Massive Attack was really great.
By Mandy
September 17, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
I was thrilled to see that they had brought Elizabeth Fraser. My boyfriend and I had a bet going as to whether it would be her or Tracey Thorn - I didn’t think I would win! Horace Andy was classy as hell, and his dance moves during “Angel” were awesome. BTW, does anyone know the name of the black female singer who appeared and sang “Safe From Harm,” “Unfinished Sympathy,” etc?
Seeing this rare show alone was worth the price of ACL tix. This review is a total mess, but the set was amazing.
By Dick Simmons
September 17, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
Dude, WRONG ! They sang all of MEZZANINE, and like only 1 ? or 2 from protection.
Robert wwas the white guy. Dude, you must have been wasted ! Did you even go ?
By huh?
September 17, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
If 3D missed the show, how did the photog get a pic of him? Maybe it’s because Daddy G was the one that wasn’t there.
Fraser (misspelled above) didn’t sing on Protection, that was Tracey Thorn.
And was this a massive attack review, or the ramblings of a frustrated, obessessed Cocteau Twins fan?
By Trav
September 16, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
Massive Attack put on a great set considering they were missing a major component of the group. Horace Andy was off-key a good portion of the time, but Elizabeth Frasier’s outstanding vocals more than made up for it. So glad I got a chance to catch a rare show by this amazing group. The final number shut down the night with a bang.