Memorable Live Performances: Portishead at Coachella 2008

Remember when Coachella was still a good festival to attend? When the lineup was something you saw and were in awe? Yeah, I remember that too. One of the ones I remember most and was at was in 2008. When the lineup was announced I was zoned in on one band in particular, Portishead. This would be their first live shows in over 10 years and I was determined to be there. When it was time for Portishead to take the stage the crowd frenzy was stirring and the excitement was astounding. For the next hour or so, Portishead ran through a set that encompassed their previous 2 albums as well as their newest album, Third (which features my second favorite Portishead song, “The Rip.”). Witnessing Portishead live is an experience all on its own and one that I highly recommend. Also, I have a bootleg of this set that is straight from the soundboard that almost rivals the Roseland Ballroom show in 1998.

Portishead- Live At Coachella 2008:

Setlist:

01) Silence
02) Mysterons
03) The Rip
04) Glory Box
05) Wandering Star
06) Machine Gun
07) Over
08) Sour Times
09) Cowboys
10) Threads
11) Roads
12) We Carry On

My Favorite Songs: Portishead- Roads

This new topic will just explore my all time favorite songs of all time. It’s going to be quite fun. I’ll be making a playlist to coincide with this topic on Spotify, as the list goes on.

There are certain songs in every band’s catalog that really mean something special to me. I’m sure many of you out there feel that same notion too, when you hear “that” song. Those songs can take you back to a place or moment, or even just fit the mood and vibe perfectly where you are at. To this day, anytime I head the song “Roads” by Portishead, I get this overtaking feeling of warmth and peace. It’s such a perfect song and it’s so soothing that even if it’s a really shitty day, this song makes it all that much better. I still remember hearing the song 25 years ago while I was listening to Portishead’s first album Dummy. The instant this song came on, I was taken aback and it drew me in. The trip-hop classic has and always will be one of my all time favorite songs. Everything about this song is perfect. The music is subtle and sparce, creating this distant yet warm sensation that wafts over the listener. And the vocals, oh those vocals, are the type that will give you chills in the best way possible. Beth Gibbon’s voice is utterly outstanding on this song (just as it is on all the other Portishead songs). “Roads” is the perfect end of the evening song as you are just getting home or winding down. There have been bands that have covered this song but, it’s impossible to get it right, and it should be forever left to Portishead to play this song. Thankfully in 2008, I had the pleasure to finally see Portishead live and when they played this song, it was a dream come true and one performance that I will not only remember but, cherish as well.

Portishead- Roads (from Dummy):

 

 

Roads Lyrics:

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

Storm, in the morning light
I feel, no more can I say
Frozen to myself
I got nobody on my side
And surely that ain’t right

And surely that ain’t right

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

Oh, can’t anybody see
We’ve got a war to fight
Never found our way
Regardless of what they say
How can it feel, this wrong
From this moment
How can it feel, this wrong

 

Guest Vocalist: Thom Yorke

Ever since I first heard Radiohead back when Pablo Honey came out, I’ve been rather intrigued by Thom Yorke. He’s one of the most unique and talented singers I’ve ever heard. When you hear him sing, you know it’s him right off the bat. From all the Radiohead albums to his solo work, you know that when you listen you are going to get something interesting and intriguing. So with all that in mind, here’s a few songs Thom has guested on over the years.

Drugstore- El President (from White Magic for Lovers):

 

 

Unkle- Rabbit In Your Headlights (from Psyence Fiction):

 

Bjork- I’ve Seen It All (from Dancer In The Dark soundtrack):

 

Bjork- Nattura:

 

PJ Harvey- This Mess We’re In (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

PJ Harvey- One Line (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

PJ Harvey- Beautiful Feeling (from Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea):

 

 

Portishead- The Rip LIVE (from Lattitude Festival 2015):

 

Top Ten Bands A-Z: P

The A to Z  list continues to find the top ten bands/artists in the alphabet. P is upon us and needs help to complete the list. As usual your suggestions are wanted in completing this list. These are in no particular order as well.

 

01) Portishead
02) Pearl Jam
03) Perfect Circle, A
04) Pink Floyd
05) Placebo
06) Pantera
07) Pixies, The
08) Iggy Pop
09)
10)

Worst Cover Songs: Gone Is Gone (Portishead)- Roads

There is a new “collective group” (I’ve stopped using the term Supergroup) out called Gone Is Gone. It’s made up of Troy Sanders of Mastodon, Troy Van Leeuwen of Queens of the Stone Age, Tony Hajjar of At The Drive In and Mike Zarin. On paper this sounds like it could sound really cool, but it just doesn’t do it sadly. So much talent, but the execution is lackluster. Speaking of lackluster, on their full length debut album Echolocation, Gone Is Gone did a cover of Portishead’s “Roads.” Their version really misses the mark and is quite possibly one of the worst covers I’ve ever heard. Hear it for yourself.

Gone Is Gone- Roads:

 

Portishead- Roads (Studio Version from Dummy):

 

 

Portishead- Roads (Live Version from Roseland Ballroom 1998):

Cover Song: O’Brother (Portishead)- Silence

Portishead is one of my all time favorite bands. There is something so captivating about their music, that it almost hypnotizes you and takes you on a vision quest. Recently one of my favorite newer bands of the last few years, O’Brother, covered Portishead’s song “Silence” from their album entitled Third. The guys in O’Brother really nail the space and dynamics that the music presents, along with the vocal performance by Tanner Merritt.

Check it out and enjoy!

O’Brother- Silence:

 

Portishead- Silence:

Black Sabbeth!!!! Portishead singer sings Black Sabbath

Beth Gibbons of Portishead joined up with instrumental musicians Gonga to record this version of Black Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath.” It’s now even more haunting and eerie with Beth’s signature croon all over it!

 

 

By: Brian Lacy

Amazing and Must Own Albums: Portishead- Live At Roseland Ballroom

Live albums are tricky. They can be amazing or wretched. There are quite a few that are absolute gems. Kiss Alive, Led Zeppelin The Song Remains The Same, Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous, and The Band The Last Waltz are just a few of them. In 1997 an innovative band took their sound and performance to the Roseland Ballroom in New York and created one of the best live albums ever. The band in question is Portishead, who with only two albums under their belt, delivered a spectacle. Accompanying Portishead that evening was the New York Philharmonic. The mixture of their music and the addiction of the stringed instruments added even more of a psychedelic trip vibe. Certain songs in their catalog really stood out that night such as “All Mine,” “Mysterons,” “Over,” “Glory Box,” and my personal favorite “Roads.”

This album is another one that is a must in any collection. As a side note this album is great for romantic evenings with your loved one!