Massive Attack @ Roseland Ballroom: Do the Del Naja
The one question I'm always asked, even before, "How was the show?" is when the show starts. Here's the deal:
- Doors 6:45
- DJ starts at 8
- DJ ends at 9
- Around 9:10, the light show starts
- 9:15, band comes out
- Show was done a little before 11.
The big difference between tonight and Saturday night was the other member of Massive Attack, Daddy G, which I knew going in that he would be a part of the NYC and Canada shows. With Daddy's presence, it called for a slight alteration in the setlist -- the inclusion of "Karmacoma." The Philly show cost $49.50, NYC was $50, so for 50 cents I got an extra song.
The setlist:
- False Flags
- Rising Son
- Black Milk
- Man Next Door
- Karmacoma
- Butterfly Caught
- Hymn of the Big Wheel
- Mezzanine
- Teardrop
- Angel
- Futureproof
- Safe From Harm
- Encore: Inertia Creeps
- Unfinished Sympathy
- Group Four
I've pretty much exhausted my thoughts on Massive Attack, the band, the music and live show in Philly post. The question remains -- was it a better show in NYC? From my perspective it was not, but I'm in the minority. It was very good and I'm glad I picked tonight to go, but I just wasn't in the Tuesday Night Party People mood. With Saturday's show, you have an awesome venue, on a weekend night and, for me, seeing one of my favorite bands of all time for the first time. Tonight, I knew everything that would happen, so there wasn't that element of surprise or discovery. Also, Roseland is just a shit venue, everything sounds like you're listening in a tin can.
On the other hand, the NYC crowd was more charged up chemically and more enthusiastic for the arrival of Massive Attack, even a little restless because of the long DJ set and standing around for a couple of hours looking at nothing. I can say for certain NYC was dying to have Massive Attack (or any form or concept of the band) return after eight years. I saw a lot of smiling faces exiting the venue.
As for the performance, I was upfront against the railing so I could pay attention to the musicianship, but I was still fascinated by the light show and message scroll. Looking at Robert Del Naja, he has the particular shadow boxing dance. His other move when he's on the mic is that keeps time by rocking his knees. I love how he introduced Daddy G, "Halo, strange-ah."
What bothered me was the CSS Security (motto: There will be no making love or listening to Death from Above at tonight's performance) put the lock down on my camera. I was even made to take out my ear plugs from their case because, you know, ear plugs can used to harm people. When the guy saw my camera, he told me to check in my battery and that I could pick it up at the end of the show. That will put anyone in a fowl mood. It reminded me of when my grade school banned Garbage Pail Kids and I was caught with a pack. "You can pick then up at the end of school." So at the end, that line of dejected people were the ones trying to get their camera batteries back. Call it the line of shame. Of course, during the show, about 5 people around me had cameras.
Yeah, the security was pretty annoying; any idea if Roseland is always like this? I'm considering seeing Goldfrapp there in a couple weeks, but getting frisked does not a good time make.
Nonetheless, great, great show.
Posted by: Roland | October 09, 2006 at 12:03 AM
Do you know who the DJ before the show was?
Posted by: Xool | October 14, 2006 at 05:48 PM