Massive Attack Inspire At The Riv

By Jake Guidry in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 19, 2010 7:40PM

Last Friday Massive Attack played The Riviera to a nearly-packed house. For us, the opportunity to see the legendary trip-hop duo was near the top of our list of must-see shows in 2010. With a force and magnitude few acts can match today, Massive Attack vindicated that list.

Martina Topley-Bird opened the show. Although most might recognize her as a voice on a Massive Attack record, Topley-Bird's solo work is solid. Her opening set, a beautiful slice of trip-hop, set the stage for Massive Attack.

Though we worried about the potential for a Heligoland-heavy show, Massive Attack gave the fans what they truly wanted: 75-plus minutes centered around their masterpiece, Mezzanine. "Risingson", "Inertia Creeps", "Mezzanine", they were all there, and their presence was appreciated en masse. "Teardrop" and "Angel" delighted the crowd, accompanied by vocals from opener Topley-Bird and Horace Andy, respectively. In fact, Topley-Bird and Andy sang on multiple songs, infusing life and warmth into the show. As the cool, methodical tunes filled the space and bobbed heads, their vocals came over the top and moved us to the point that we forgot we weren't alone.

Throughout the night, this was Massive Attack's modus operandi. Roll through the hits, and roll through them with ferocity and intensity. The energy was massive. The full band accompanying Grant Evans and Robert Del Naja expanded the Massive Attack sound, and the light show projecting liberal agenda rounded out what was a wholly impressive, invigorating show. There wasn't a song, Mezzanine-era or not, that wasn't on point, and we thank Evans and Del Naja for putting their heart into the show. And, to top it off, Gorillaz front man and Tankboy man-crush Damon Albarn even got in on the fun, coming out for the encore to sing on "Splitting the Atom", a top tune from Heligoland. While 2010 still may be in session, we aren't the slightest bit worried to call this a top-3 show of the entire year.