14th March 2003 - Entertainment Center, Sydney, Australia
FUTURE PROOF
EVERYWHEN
RISINGSON
BLACK MILK
ANGEL
SPECIAL CASES
BUTTERFLY CAUGHT
HYMN OF THE BIG WHEEL
TEARDROP
NAME TAKEN
MEZZANINE
SAFE FROM HARM
INERTIA CREEPS
ANTISTAR
UNFINISHED SYMPATHY
GROUP FOUR
photos by rchinn
photos by Wurzil
2003 hasn't been particularly kind to Robert '3-D' Del Naja. Not only is he
at the forefront of the campaign to stop the war, but 'pithy' reviews for Massive
Attack's fourth album '100th Window' and an alleged hot computer mean that it's
probably already a year best forgotten. Guarding against any further cock-ups,
then, Del Naja, Daddy G and dub legend Horace Andy have embarked on their most
ambitious world tour to date, with ten musicians in tow and a huge screen firing
off none-too-subtle anti-war messages across the entire back wall.Somewhat
predictably the whole thing is swathed in a cloud of doom. The notion that Massive
Attack albums represent an escapist headspace is immediately scotched by the
up-to-the minute statistics (America's current military expenditure is $399.1
billion!) flashing constantly across the rear of the stage. It's a bit difficult
getting lost in the moment when you're constantly being reminded of the threat
of impending death.Still,
as far as playing in the shadow of the storm goes, tonight's a triumph. The
dark rupture of '100th Window' swells admirably through the haunting eastern-dub
ambience of 'Antistar', while the rasta joy of 'Hymn Of The Big Wheel', and
a monolithic 'Unfinished Symphony' provide a crashing finale. In the end, it's
the way all wars should be. Tonight, the good guys win.
(Alicia Brodersen)
