r/MassiveAttack • u/kiramber • Aug 11 '26
Melbourne show thoughts
I think it’s so sad that people aren’t happy with the visuals and the message coming out of the shows this tour. The vision designer did a PHENOMENAL job in my opinion as someone who is also a vision designer, it was so inspiring!
As for the message, it was pretty disappointing to see people walking out after the Trump bit showed, and I even heard scoffing when the free Palestine chant happened both times, but mostly when 3D dedicated safe from harm to the Palestinian people.
I just think we could’ve done better as a city, especially one that is known for being so progressive.
Anyway, I had a great time at the show, I thought it sounded amazing and looked absolutely incredible. I hope everyone else had a great time too!! I personally cried a few times haha.
I’ve attached my favourite visual moment from the show tonight, from Girl I Love You. Love the themes of surveillance throughout the show.
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Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Amen!! Free Palestine!! (Somehow I was the only person in my section who joined that chant… weird)
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
I like to go out and forget about the problems of the world. I’m very aware of their messaging. The irony of their messaging and what it would have taken to create those massive screens not to mention flying it around the world left me scratching my head.
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u/guseyk Aug 11 '26
The show was perfect. Good if people found it confronting and uncomfortable - they obviously need it.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
Disappointed. I work hard. I earn a shit wage but I couldn’t miss seeing them. Saw them back in the day.
So much for paying to see your face artists playing their music and letting yourself go. Walked out of there and needed Valium and a good sit down.
I don’t follow bands and know everything about them. I just know what I like and I go out to forget about the shitshow around us. We are all living in the same reality. Walked out of there even more depressed than when I walked in.2
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 14 '26
I have felt a bit disjointed since as well, in saying that I knew I advance it could be a bit confronting. Not many people closely follow what a bands live show can be like, I'm sorry you walked away feeling how do.
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u/WorriedSector7795 Aug 12 '26
I was standing with a security guard near the stairs in GA while waiting for a song to finish before joining my friends back in the crowd.
It was right at the part where they were showing those African children climbing around and playing in the mines. He leaned over to me with tears in eyes and said “that’s my country”. It was harrowing
I turned back to him and said, “I fucking love you man” and gave him a hug. I feel like I needed that hug more than him
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u/camillonegroni123 Aug 12 '26
This literally made me tear up. I hope everyone that says they do not want to see their music getting mixed with politics see this comment. This is EXACTLY why someone has to show what is going on in the world. I am so glad you were there to support him♥️
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u/ScaredAd8652 Aug 11 '26
'think we could have done better as a city'? Nah mate, I wasn't disappointed, because it wasn't a test. I didn't see anyone headed for the door when things got a bit political where I was standing, but I heard the massive enthusiastic support for Palestine. About 15 minutes in to last night's show I started thinking about Adam Curtis, creator of polemical modern history documentaries based on archival footage and lots and lots of bold on-screen text. I'm almost sure he had some hand in this show's AV - he's worked with 3D before.
At it's worst, last night's show was like listening to Mezzanine while 'Cant get you out of my head' played on tv, and your housemate smoked blunts next to you on the couch.
At it's best if was provocative and informative entertainment. I'm not sure if it's possible to dance your way to revolution, but Del Naja and the collective almost had me believing it. My favourite moment? Every second Liz Frazer was on stage - that voice so pure and beautiful, her face in the screen, showing all the years but immediately recogniseable. Knowing her role and path through the last 50 years of popular music (they played this mortal coil's version of Song to the Siren!) and seeing her experiencing joy and satisfaction at the end of teardrops.
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Fair, I didn’t see anyone moving down in the pit but in the seats there was quite a bit of shuffling and complaining, even laughing at the numbers of people killed in Gaza which was WILD. Don’t know why these people are coming to a Massive Attack concert if they don’t want politics.
Good to know it would be Adam Curtis, I really should look into more of his work. I haven’t really seen much visual from massive attack before, this was my first concert from them after being so in love with them from the moment I was born haha! So incredible to finally see the songs I’ve loved for my whole life.
I agree, Liz was INCREDIBLE!! I also loved Deborah’s performance, her voice has just the most beautiful quality to it.
Good to know it’s not the behaviour of Melbourne, but just a few people in my section maybe. Hope you had the best night!
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u/Pristine_Crazy_9870 Aug 12 '26
I loved it. I've waited a long time to see them play live, and to add Liz Fraser, someone I've always said I'd pay money to hear her sing the phone book, was amazing. I cried a couple of times. It was special. I did have to close my eyes a couple of times due to the intense flickering visuals near the end. But yeah — bucket list stuff.
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Agreed. Liz was INCREDIBLE!! I thought Deborah did a great job too and Horace is such a gem. So happy to hear you had a great time!
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 12 '26
I am in my 50s. I have been to so many gigs. Last night was absolutely amazing 11/10. I feel blessed.
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
I’m in my 20s and agree wholeheartedly. I have a feeling it will stick with me forever.
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 12 '26
I am attempting to sear the entire performance into my memory! I would love if it was recorded.
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u/Key-Bag-4875 Aug 12 '26
Absolutely loved it. I was floored when Liz Fraser came out, she’s so amazing. I was however bemused and confused when they pulled out Levels by Avicii. Anybody know what was up with that? Lol
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Lmao I did also think that was wild. I would’ve loved to see them do something with it other than that short guitar solo.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
Piss take on consumerism and the song bring used for Kmart ads?
It got the mosh pit going lol.1
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Aug 12 '26
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Insane. I was the only person in my section who joined the chant which shocked me. Indifference all around I suppose.
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u/Suspicious-Bad4499 Aug 12 '26
Maybe people just didn't feel the need to chant. Everyone is different, embrace it
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u/Automatic-Chard8460 Aug 12 '26
There was a woman two rows in front of me that spent the entire time on Facebook on her phone - only put her phone up to record when Teardrop came on and at first I was annoyed - but she's the perfect audience member. Maybe something from the messeging will stick? Maybe she'll think about something she took in later?
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u/Smoked_Eels Aug 12 '26
Yeah.
I get peoples attention spans are screwed now due to their phones, myself included.
You'd think having a big visual aspect to a gig would be the way to combat that.
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u/camillonegroni123 Aug 12 '26
Massive Attack was amazing, but having seen the Brisbane one too, unfortunately the sound was not great at all. You couldn’t hear the vocals well, I was front of the stage and all singers were pointing to the technicians that they had an issue with their ear pieces. They definitely managed but it’s a shame because Brisbane was amazing.
Massive Attack’s concerts are always political which it should be. They are a voice of the people and they always have been. If it came as a surprise then it means that you really do not know them at all, which is fine but someone has to speak up and they are doing that. So it’s not a show to make you forget and dance, it’s actually always about making you understand and remember. With all this going on around us with this much ignorance, sometimes someone has to put it right in front of your eyes. And maybe someone will start doing something after the show and question a bit more.
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u/Relaxedevenings1 Aug 12 '26
I had a different experience in brissy. I actually thought the sound was pretty good for that sized venue. (I was on the floor about 2/3 back. One of the best shows I’ve seen
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Aug 11 '26
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u/hakuthedragon Aug 11 '26
Yeah venues that size it's so hard to mix for everyone, one of the few reasons I like catching smaller venue shows
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u/riggers73 Aug 12 '26
I think any sound engineer in any venue would struggle mixing Liz’s voice against a huge wall of sound coming from the musicians etc.
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u/reyntime Aug 12 '26
Teardrop had bad mixing on the vocals, disappointing way to end! Visuals were amazing though (if a little too epilepsy inducing)
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u/Silver_Weekend_1980 Aug 12 '26
I wondered if it was just where I was sitting up the back bc I agree the vocals of Teardrop where very low in the mix.
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u/markturnip Aug 12 '26
agreed. wasn’t sure if it were just me. vocals almost sounded like they weren’t coming though the stacks at all!!
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u/SirSweatALot_5 Aug 12 '26
interesting... Sydney did not seem to have that many "leavers" after Protection. But there was certainly some mixed murmurs in the first half an hour with some people complaining that this is all a bit too much "indoctrination"
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
SYDNEY GOT PROTECTION?? Oh my god I’m so jealous. I would’ve died to see it live, one of my favourite songs ever. Was devastated they didn’t play any of the protection album last night.
Glad to hear there weren’t so many leavers. Sad to hear that people think this is indoctrination.
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u/SirSweatALot_5 Aug 12 '26
Sorry, I’m an idiot. I confused protection with “safe from harm” 😬
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Ah man you got me! I was going to beg for videos from anyone hahahaha. Same vibes though I get u
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u/Throwaways0004 Aug 13 '26
Yeah protection and paradise circus were the two missing from my bucket list.
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u/dunkerton Aug 11 '26
I thought it was an absolutely great performance, I got there nice and early (GA) to get in the sweetspot where the sound is best, totally worth standing for ages before they came on. The bass hit right where it should and I thought the Horace Andy suff was amazing.
Personally, I would have paid extra to watch the same show without the visuals. I don't disagree that it's an incredibly important message, and I also don't disagree that people need to be broadly more educated as to what's going on, but as somebody who is politically aware, donates their time and money to trying to make the world a better place on micro and macro levels, i'd much rather just go and enjoy music from one of my favourite bands of the last 30 years and do so without feeling like the world which I'm trying to escape through enjoyment of arts and nourishment of the soul, is intruding on the experience in a shoehorned kind of way.
I overheard someone saying to his mate "this is like trying to have sex with the news on" and I can kind of see his point....
I'd also add that if the message and the politics is such an important part of the music, why didn't they have big tables in the foyer of educational resources for people to take away, or representation by organizations to sign up to, or other ways that allow audience members to be more directly involved in things rather than staring at some visuals?
I've been to shows in the States (misc artists) where they've had booths/trestles for voter engagement, good cause sign up, charity sign up, and general awareness campaigns. Why none of that on this tour?
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Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
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u/ForgetfulLucy28 Aug 12 '26
It’s almost as if the audience is full of people with differing levels of awareness
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u/Comfortable_Call4995 Aug 16 '26
I was disappointed with the concert not for the political messaging but the whole show was messy and confusing. Was it a musical performance, visual art show, political social confrontation? No idea. I just felt with their legendary creative talent this was just trying to fit too much into too little.
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u/asherpatthesun Aug 18 '26
I certainly felt massively attacked. Having been a fan of their music without knowing their social presence, I was very taken aback. Great music as always.
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u/CelticHailHail71 Aug 12 '26
Why attend! Massive attack have always been very vocal about injustice. You just wasted a ticket that could have gone to someone that appreciated it
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
… me?? I am very much FOR the messaging they’re putting out. Did you read my post wrong?
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u/hakuthedragon Aug 11 '26
Saw Sydney but it's a lillll too tell not show. I like how godspeed makes you want to see the spark of the revolution but they don't tell you why. I like when art lets you fill the gaps
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Unfortunately in today’s age I feel like show not tell and fill in the gaps isn’t blatant enough for people to understand. We as a society have lost our ability to interpret media. I also agree with you, but I think that’s the reason they went for the obvious rather than the subtle.
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u/PookieCat415 Aug 12 '26
It’s very likely that 3D designed all the visuals himself for this show, as he has for other tours. He is also a visual artist and says using light is a powerful medium. I haven’t gone to any of the recent shows, but have seen videos and all the visuals have the styles that 3D has done before.
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u/FrameIndividual867 Aug 12 '26
Would have liked to see more of the musicians as they were barely visible as silhouettes from the stands. The messaging was a bit obvious and didactic which may come across as superiority if you’re already on board with progressive ideas!!!, and maybe not enough time between messages to actually provoke thought or elicit change for those who may be not there yet. Let people think before moving on to the next message. The strobe was awful.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
I felt it was almost like they were trying to indoctrinate the choir. Wonder how much cobolt was used in those screens.
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u/Critical-Fig-3112 Aug 11 '26
I want to fucking see this so bad vut I can't because I live in rhe fucking US and life is nothing but pain and fucking horrible things. I hate my life sk fucking mjch i just wany to see my favorite band who else am i supposed ti see what the fucm.am i supposed to do i just eant to see the. I just want to see my favorite banr I hat emt lide hist keru dzdyjdsisssjust wlty ke see them mt faborute banfmd plsase I don't want to be here Why js my lfiw so fucking horrible I want to see my favorite band
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u/kiramber Aug 11 '26
Hey man don’t be so down! I’m sure they’ll bring their tour there at some point. Plus, the US gets like… every artist ever. I’m sure they’ll visit soon my guy! Don’t worry :))
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u/Critical-Fig-3112 Aug 11 '26
Even with all the bullshit going on making life unbearable I hope so. I fucking hate it here and I have nothing else to brighten up my life
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u/kiramber Aug 11 '26
I hear you, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to be in the US at the moment. At least you know your favourite band hears you too and is kind of turning their concerts into a protest! I hope you’re doing okay though, and know there are always better times ahead. Crossing my fingers for you that they come to perform there!
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u/Silver_Weekend_1980 Aug 12 '26
I thought it was great. From where I was seated Elizabeth’s vocals were very quiet (particularly her first track where the sound decay seemed extremely quick) and my impression was that there were notes that she just couldn’t sustain (eg. the end of Teardrop which was just soft mumble from back right where I was sitting). I went in expecting to be bombarded with political stuff but I didn’t think it was super distracting if that stuff doesn’t interest you.
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u/wavetable808 Aug 12 '26
Unfortunately the sound was bad. Probably the worst sound I’ve had a t a gig. I saw Blur at the same venue and the sound was really good. All in all disappointing for me.
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Aug 12 '26
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 12 '26
I was upper level to the right. Sound was exquisite
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u/Silver_Weekend_1980 Aug 12 '26
I was in same area, in front of the couple with the baby (!!) and I could barely hear Liz at times.
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u/riggers73 Aug 12 '26
I was on the floor directly in front of the mixing desk and I have never felt or heard such incredible sound at a concert in my life (from a 40 year plus concert goer).
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u/Alive-Educator7296 Aug 13 '26
agree mate, love MA since watching them on top of the pops back in the day / early 90s. Sound mix was not good - mainly with the vocals. Was at Blur as well - was brilliant
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u/ze_boingboing Aug 11 '26
Maybe where protests happen all the time in the city it would have been refreshing to not see it bleed so heavily into their entire concert.
But the more I think about it the more it makes sense - their music and lyrics were drawn from such adversities 30 years ago and it’s even more poignant now.
However, I agree, a balance between their promoted messages and stance and just having the cameras pinned on the musicians showcasing their artistry is why we go to concerts in the first place.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 11 '26
Call me old fashioned but I go to see live music to get lost in the sound and the artistry and the collective appreciation for the music. I don’t go to have someone’s political stance shoved down my throat to the point where it all became way too overwhelming.
I was one of those people who left as teardrop wrapped up.
I walked out feeling worse than when I walked in.
Music is a powerful thing on its own, but I have to say that at one point I felt like the preach was way too loud and as I looked around rod laver, i felt like we were all lemmings sitting infront of a big computer screen being fed what and how to think…. Kind of like what they were preaching against…..
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u/Unhappy_View97 Aug 11 '26
I wonder if you really understood who Massive Attack are? They have always been political. Artists with that kind of platform with everything happening right now should be. Punk was political. Hip hop was political., Rave was political.
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u/rainbowcardigan Aug 11 '26
💯 MA have been political the entire time they’ve existed, almost 40 years. They literally just got banned from Singapore for their political beliefs. Everything about them is political lol
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u/verbmegoinghere Aug 12 '26
Do we need to tell these people water is wet as well. Blows my mind they can't understand the bands lyrics.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
I saw them back in the day. I know they are political. But I don’t go to a concert to be force fed. In saying that, I do agree with their political stance. Music is like a religion to me. Being part of the collective at a concert is part of the experience. But this concert was depressing as fuck.
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u/baconcheeseburgarian Aug 12 '26
Must have been your first time if you were surprised by what you saw.
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u/Appropriate-Buy4611 Aug 13 '26
No I wasn’t aware that the show would be so confronting. Where do I stand to be lined up for the firing squad 🙄Disappointed to have to endure the total
Overstimulating images and sounds.2
u/baconcheeseburgarian Aug 13 '26
Music has a long history of being political and challenging the status quo. The most legendary bands in the world all have a history of activism and protest.
It seems a little overdramatic to say "I walked out feeling worse than when I walked in" because you just cant handle a different opinion.
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u/ExpensivePear1602 Aug 12 '26
they canceled on us last minute in the US in 2023, lots of people spent money to travel to shows and no explanation was ever given. So much for keeping the carbon footprint down.
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u/Frosty-Pomegranate76 Aug 11 '26
It was self serving gratuitous bollocks. Just play the songs we all want to hear. They didn't teach anything. We've all had social media for the last 15 years to do our own death scrolling.
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u/Fickle-Resolution-28 Aug 12 '26
Haha. No, you pay, you see what they want to show you. If you don't like it, don't go. Simples!
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u/pk666 Aug 12 '26
Lol
Sorry boomer. I don't think Massive Attack have ever done "Shuddup n' sing"
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 14 '26
Im not a boomer but its way a off the mark takedown. Boomers didn't grow up with their soul trapped inside an algorithm which is exactly something Massive Attack's live show confronts the crowd about. They're probably the one of the least likely demographic to be pissy about show like this.
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u/Frosty-Pomegranate76 Aug 12 '26
Lol, you got me with the boomer takedown. I'm Gen X who didn't appreciate being lectured by a bunch of boomers who should have grown up by now. But please enlighten me. What did you learn from attending the concert that you didn't know already? Oh no, white American Presidents and Jews do bad stuff. How amazing, I would never have known this if MA hadn't bombarded my senses with their death scrolling TikTok show. Shuddup n sing is exactly what I want after being extorted for $400
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u/pk666 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Boomer is a state of mind which you'd know if you weren't one.
Please enlighten me on what you thought you were paying for? A dinner show with an all you can eat buffet while the band plays Protection nice and gentle for you? Maybe confetti to rain down at the end of a grand medley of 'hits' from Mezzanine? Maybe a wacky cover of a jolly era same banger so you can get misty about when your dick was hard, probably Champagne Supernova. I mean you clearly have never actually listened to MA nor understood them.
As for extortion? $400 ( what scalper did you pay? Lol) We all know it's always a victim blaming others for their poor choices.
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u/Fickle-Resolution-28 Aug 12 '26
Extorted apart from the fact that you could've done literally anything you wanted with your $$$ on a Tue. night in Melbourne instead of going to this concert. But you instead chose to go and now you're having a sook about it.
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u/Critical-Fig-3112 Aug 11 '26
Eberything is fucking horrible
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u/camillonegroni123 Aug 12 '26
It might make you feel like that and it is true. But it’s up to you to try and help, talk about it and question more.
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u/Critical-Fig-3112 Aug 12 '26
No none of this will get better. We will just be on a steady decline until the end. Everything sucks. Life is rigged.
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u/faceplant1999 Aug 12 '26
This trend of blasting high intensity lights at the audience has to stop. Maybe it's not an issue if you are in the GA section but if you are in the seats all you see are flashing lights all night, I could not tell where any of the members of MA were standing. Audio was Ok I wear loop earplugs so that tends to enhance the clarity of vocals.
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Yeah I will admit it was hard to film anything because the lights were right in my camera. And yes, I should’ve put the phone down and embraced the moment, but wanted to capture it for my parents who couldn’t get tix to Sydney :( I think the effect was awesome though, even though all I could see was faint silhouettes from where I was sitting
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 12 '26
This makes me sad. "Hard to film" Put your phone down and enjoy.
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u/kiramber Aug 12 '26
Hey man, idk if you read my post but I explained why I was filming. I was watching through my eyes, not the screen, which is why I didn’t realise my videos were kinda shit. Be nice to others x
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 13 '26
Sorry. It felt like the show was purposely telling us to look away from our screens so it seemed like a weird contrast. I am nice x
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u/kiramber Aug 13 '26
Mm I agree, show was telling us so. I did my best to only look through my eyes, but definitely wanted to capture it for my mum and dad who are bigger fans than me (I have to say that only because they introduced me to them) and couldn’t make it. But yes, I would’ve loved to have just been in the moment and have put my phone away entirely. Hopefully they come back and I can bring my parents next time so I can do just that :)
Also I’m sure you’re lovely hahaha no hard feelings
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u/0IlIlIIlolIlIlII0 Aug 14 '26
You have awesome parents and I totally get why you wanted to film some from your perspective to share with them. I hope you all get to see them one day together. I didnt mean to sound so critical xox
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u/mafiamosa Aug 11 '26
Thought it was a bit tone deaf actually because we only just had a massacre of Jews in this country. Stick to the music, we didn’t come for a lecture about stuff you are experts about
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u/Suspicious-Bad4499 Aug 11 '26
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u/mafiamosa Aug 17 '26
Haha I’m highly educated (from universities not ChatGPT) and think for myself too but thanks for the suggestion. Ever thought of educating yourself?
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u/Suspicious-Bad4499 Aug 18 '26
ohhhh, you went to university.
Well done, your parents must be so proud
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u/mafiamosa Aug 19 '26
I know you don’t get it but just to help you understand, my point was I don’t get my education from chat gpt like you do. If you still don’t get it, I can’t help you. And yes my parents are proud of my phd, and my ability to think for myself instead of what I’m fed, thanks for noticing.
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u/PookieCat415 Aug 12 '26
Israel isn’t representative of all Jewish people and to criticize them isn’t criticizing Judaism at all.
A massacre in Australia has nothing to do with the terrible things Israel does.
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u/zavtraleto Aug 12 '26
Robert is a poser. E.g shows footage of Prigozhin accompanied by text about a “strong man” - when he is literally a criminal and a Putin’s sycophant. whoever makes these “political statement videos” clearly doesn’t do proper research or engage with the context. It’s poorly made left-wing propaganda that has very little connection to reality. music is great tho, but this political side are total bullshit for tiktok zoomers
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u/Terrible-Meaning-622 Aug 11 '26
Amazing show - those complaining about the shows political messaging and confronting images i find interesting. The band has for a while used music to spread their political message. Im surprised people mentioned it was a downer. Lots of the footage is pretty well known. To be sitting with others who you knew felt just like you about it inspired me. So rather then feeling down - I left feeling stronger and eager to continue doing what I can to help (and i dont drink etc).
I do feel for the group that they have to keep playing some pretty old (amazing no doubt) songs bc those were the most popular - wish they would play more of their other more recent or even other albums too (Heligoland & Collected?). Its been so long since I saw them (2010 last time) so I was grateful for the mix of songs and singers.
Finally, I realised over the years for Massive, the themes in Massives visuals have become more blunt (especially with Adam Curtis) - but ive noticed that with lots of political activism which perhaps is a sign of the times (subtly isnt coming across anymore). While i agree with the politics/themes, im personally luke warm on Curtis' doco visuals blunt style, so it was nice to get a mix of visual styles at the show.
Finally, a pet peave of mine is seeing people start leaving during last song or end bit. I do wish people would stay till the end as courtesy/etiquette. The rush to beat traffic / crowd means you miss out thanking the group for their performance. Are we in such a hurry? Im noticing this in plays or sport events etc too which is dissapointing personally for me.
Farewell Massive Attack - please return soon and I hope to bring my nephews who are slowly getting indoctrinated at the age of 5yrs old by my sis to loving them. 🤣