WANDERING STARS

PORTISHEAD / Mercury Rev

Belvoir Amphitheatre
Tuesday, November 15, 2011

It was 1998 when Portishead were last in town – their amazing performance has become something of legend. And finally, after a hiatus of several years, a new album, and another on the way, they were back, and the sellout crowd of mature, discerning music lovers, knew full well this was an event not to be missed.

New York state’s Mercury Rev kicked things off with Snowflake In A Hot World. But the songs eliciting the biggest response were those from ‘98s Deserter’s Songs. Holes and Opus 40 still sound great live. Elder statesman, Jonathan Donahue, fronted the band of colourful characters in ringleader-like fashion. An unexpected cover of Peter Gabriel’s Solsbury Hill, the shimmering glory of Goddess On A Hiway and The Dark Is Rising completed an all too short set.

But most were here for one band only, and numbers down the bottom of the amphitheatre swelled. Then there they were, Portishead, nonchalantly strolling on stage, launching straight into Silence, the first song off Third. Interestingly following this up with Mysterons, the opener off their classic debut Dummy, and the opening notes set the crowd alight.

It was a perfect setlist handpicked from their three albums – the songs sounding even better live. Beth Gibbons hasn’t changed a bit – dressed plainly, she remained almost motionless, eyes closed, turning her head from side to side. Immersed in the music, she hunched over the mic, both hands firmly clasped around it as she intoned her inimitable vocals – ethereal, breathtaking, heartbreaking. Alternating from gentle cooing to wailing like a banshee.

Behind her, Geoff Barrow, the driving heart of the machine, quietly went about his business, moving from mixing, to scratches and samples, to guitar and percussion. Adrian Utley’s understated guitar playing was on-point as ever, backed by some talented musicians on drums, keys and guitars.

There was no showboating, barely a word was spoken all night, but it wasn’t necessary as they let the music do the talking. Casting a spell over the amphitheatre, like some heavy drug, the crowd transfixed in an almost trance-like state, which broke at the end of each song as they exploded into cheers and howls of sincere appreciation.

Glory Box was of course amazing, and the finale of Threads was heavy. They were back for an encore of Roads, truly one of the most beautiful songs ever. Gibbons’ impassioned cry, “Oh – can’t anybody see?” breaking hearts and bringing tears to grown mens’ eyes, and We Carry On finished the night in big style – its tribal drumming and distorted guitar building up to a huge crescendo.

After barely interacting at all, Beth then jumped down to shake hands and hug people. Touching. A stunning performance that solidifies the mystique of a unique band, who could show these younger bands a thing or two about exercised restraint.

_ALFRED GORMAN