Massive Attack @ Tower Theatre: Massive, Indeed

Just got back from a super special night in Philadelphia. After a lifetime of wanting, looking and sweating out whether Massive Attack would ever return to the U.S., it took a greatest hits compilation to get them (more like Robert Del Naja) to tour. They've been one of my Top 5 current favorite bands for years and it's been eating at my soul that I've never seen them live. Well, scratch them off the list.

The end result was pure bliss. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. New Yorkers, you are in for a complete experience when they play three nights this week. Although, the first three songs got me worried, because my Philly peoples were not getting into it. All of sudden, people woke up, got up from their seats and submitted themselves to one of the most influential bands in modern music.

The setlist:

• False Flags
• Rising Son
• Black Milk
• Man Next Door
• Butterfly Caught
• Hymn of the Big Wheel
• Mezzanine
• Teardrop
• Angel
• Futureproof
• Safe From Harm
• Encore: Inertia Creeps
• Unfinished Sympathy
• Group Four

I knew going in that it would be impossible for them (or him) to play all of my favorite songs. I realized coming back for the show that it's probably a good thing because some of the songs aren't the same with the original singers and guest vocalists. "Daydreaming" and "Karmacoma" without Tricky doing the rap would be lame. My all-time favorite Massive Attack song is "Protection" and you need Tracey Thorn on it to pull it off. Then again, there were two female vocalists covering parts, and they sounded fantastic in any event. Horace Andy made the trip and provided vocals on "Hymn".

The music by itself would have made for a great show. Let's face it, Massive Attack in it's current form is Robert Del Naja, so he needs a band that could deliver all the beats, guitars and vocals to match the greatness of his music. The sound emitted was massive indeed. Each song breathed with the fullness you'd expected. What surprised me was that the songs from 100th Window came off better live then on CD. I was kind of disappointed with their last studio album because it was too stripped down. Tonight, "Futureproof" and especially "Butterfly Caught" were played with epic grandeur.

In fact, when" Butterfly" was being played, I looked around and saw people starting to stand-up and thought, "It's about time, Philly. You paid $49.50, with $10 parking and $6.75 for a cup of beer, so get off your butt and enjoy yourself." By the end of the song, everyone was standing, then people started to fill up the aisles and move-up front. That was good because I didn't want to be the only person standing (Tower Theatre is a seated venue). I scored a decent 7th row aisle seat so I was comfortable where I was. I was definitely in my happy place during the show, getting my dance on and grooving to every heavy beat. I also got a setlist, so I'm extra special than I already am.

The last song "Group Four" was mind-blowing. It was played for what seemed like 15 minutes building up to an orgasmic climax ... and then it never let up. The guitars would take over towards the end and just take the song to another level.

As for Del Naja as frontman, he's a low key type of guy. He didn't much banter with the audience, just some Thank You's here and there. During some songs, he would do some shadowboxing as his form of dancing. What I found ironic is that he would leave the stage for a song, which is odd since he's the only true Massive Attack member. So it almost became The Songs of Massive Attack with other musicians performing the tunes.

The element of the show that will stick in my head was the stage lighting. It's the best I've ever seen. Around the stage were these message signs that scrolled various stats through out the show. The event began with all these facts about Philadelphia, when it was founded, by whom, the population, the topography, the average temperature, historical facts, racial mixture and that it's know for cheesesteaks (I ate at Pat's before the show, lord have mercy). During "Safe From Harm", the signs displayed disturbing facts about our current conflict with Iraq like number dead, amount of bombs dropped and money being spent daily. During "Butterfly Caught", the signs scrolled stock quotes, intermixed with random organizations. Ones I caught: NSA, NAFTA, MAFIA and SURI. Ta ha! One song's lighting mimics the band's website, which scrolls the current headlines. In another song, the signs scrolls the equation for Pi.

While this is going on, the backdrop lighting is all sorts of freaky and mind bending. You can't tell by my pictures, but you didn't need any narcotics to totally trip out. I'm wondering how the band can concentrate on their music with all this activity going on.

Which leads me to why think Massive Attack is one of the most influential bands of our time. I know that Del Naja doesn't like the term, but they invented Trip Hop. On Blue Lines, they took hip hop, added jazz elements, some dance beats and just slowed it all down. You can have to look at it as a drug trip, the kind that make you mellow out and not hyper. I've never done a narcotic in my life, but I have feeling that it would feel to me like listening to Massive Attack.

The band has a distinct sound, but they pack many moods with each album. They can be contemplative, sexy, dark, hopefully, joyous, somber and angry. What people don't realize is that they have crafted some of the most romantic songs from the 90s. Look at "Safe From Harm," "Teardrop" and "Protection". How can you not grab your honey while listening to these songs?

Anyway, I can now lead a life knowing that I've scene Massive Attack. Now, the new favorite band that I've never seen live is Faithless, and I'm not holding my breath on that one.

On Tuesday, I'll see the first of three New York shows at Roseland. I'm really hoping Roseland doesn't suck the life out of the band or the crowd.

This was actually my first time attending a show at the Tower Theatre. It's gorgeous inside. Nice big lobby, free cologne in the bathroom, sexy bartenders, awesome sound, the theater has a space theme and seats with leg room. It beats the crap out of the Beacon Theatre. The odd thing that it's a hell of a way away from the center of Philadelphia, almost a 15-20 minute drive. Also, it's not technically in Philadelphia, it's in Upper Darby.

Comments

[tee daddy]

MS:

I was @ the Philly show last night, and I'm still blown away. The lights and instrumentation (electronic, organic & voice) delivered this wall of sight & sound that far exceeded my expectations. I was somewhat worried about MA w/ only Robert, but after last night's performance, w/ Horace Andy and the etheral Elizabeth Frazer, I realize that the group is in the best hands possible. I was rendered totally speechless, & have been in awe of the epic majesty and sonic intensity of the performance (hell, I was ready to drive to the Starlight last night!). Don't know if I'll see any of the NYC shows...what was your favorite song from last night? For me, Inertia Creeps was nothing short of perfect.

[MC]

Dude - Tower isn't even CLOSE to Lower Merion. It's in Upper Darby.

Great show though, great band.

[MusicSnobbery]

Yup, figure it out.

My favorite was Safe From Harm. It's romantic, vibrant and uplifting.