I went two concerts this week which were both brilliant, memorable. But utterly different experiences.
3 February, Brighton, Komedia: Lindi Ortega.
4 February, Brixton, O2 Academy: Massive Attack.
Lindi, a new favourite, whose music has been central to me over the past couple of years.
Massive Attack, old favourites, whose music has been central to me over the past couple of decades.
Random thoughts, during and after…
Lindi
Intimate
Rock’n’roll
Like an old Tin Star
Twang
Cigarettes and Truckstops
Basement
Beautiful
Black dress, red boots
Faded Gloryville
I’m blessed to be on this stage
Soul
Slide
Country
Bee Gees
Tears Look out California
Real
Her signature
Nashville
Champagne James Robertson
Ring of Fire with spaced out guitar
Red lips
Humour
Lonesome
The essence of something
Tell it like it is
Loved
Massive Attack Cinematic
Awesome
Lasers
Propaganda
Angel
Alienation
Basslines
Horace Andy
Inertia Creeps
Performance Art
Bristol
Safe from Harm
Sitting changes things
Distraction
Karmacoma
Jamaica and Roma
In the shadows
Refugees
Digital
Random
Who’s who?
Two drummers
Girl I Love You
Ultimate fusion
Yeah we know bad things happen
Distant
Unfinished Symphony
Memories
What?
Lindi succeeded on an emotional, immediate level. You were part of the experience. Massive Attack were a work of art, with an amazing soundtrack. To observe, admire, only occasionally really engage with on that emotional level. Or so I found on the night.
But the impact of both was strong. Two ends of my musical spectrum. Both treasured. Future memories.
Thoughtsfromwestfive 
what’s wrong with writing sentences? I hope this shoppinglist of random bullet points is not the new style? maybe you were just tired after 2 nights on the road.
It’s Cubist, mate!
Hey, tell me about it, dc. He was “composing” in the back of the Uber last night. Really seemed in a bit of a trance – but that might have been the funny stuff floating around the Academy.
I’m not qualified to comment on Lindi – though you know that doesn’t normally stop me – but what I can say is that the Massive gig was one of my greatest ever. The level of technical brilliance (music, lighting, staging, film, voices, graphics) was astonishing; but unlike John, it got to me emotionally too. I know the words and images don’t always add up, but they blew me away all the same.
Not just that, but the groove grabs you too – those paralysingly powerful bass lines, the dual drumming and some riveting axe work. They tied me to my seat – if not, I’d have been shaking my big booty all over Brixton.
I admit I allowed my introvert side to kick in as you and Jon pieced together the life story of Bogdan the cab driver, though I was listening intently. I had this idea that a piece that seemed to be a collection of random words, but conveyed an impression, would mirror the approach taken by Massive Attack on the night. And I needed to jot it down while the words were coming. Also, I’ve waxed lyrical about Lindi Ortega enough times in past blogs, that I thought the word stream would work for her too.
Clearly didn’t work for the Big Man, but you know what fans are like! Not keen on change. Remember the bluebells…
I don’t disagree with anything you say about the performance – it just had a different impact on me. Musically and technically it was awesome, though some of the imagery has been done before, notably by U2. And I think the singers got a bit lost in the effects. I was really struck by the way the imagery distracted me from Horace Andy singing Girl I Love You, which is one of my favourite Massive songs.
But you’ll be pleased to know I’ve had Mezzanine on rotation today!
Well, that was a different creative approach to your music reviews. I really like it, poetic…. or maybe more like prose. I quite like both acts, and agree with your words.
Not trying to barge in… okay I am, but my hubby is composing and producing a new singer. They call their act “Erohs Shore” So far they are only on Soundcloud & Twitter. If you ever get the whim here’s a link to one of their songs. They have a few more there. https://soundcloud.com/erohsshore/lim Thanks!
I will give it a go!
They both sound great, even though I’ve never heard/heard of Lindi Ortega.
Check out her albums. All four are excellent. My favourite is Cigarettes and Truckstops.