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Absolutely amazing live! All band members played two to three instruments each! Live backdrop visuals were unique and added an amazing atmosphere. Definitely in top three best live shows!
This was the highlight of the year! Portishead Filled the forum! the music was not only better than I expected, it still reverberates in my chest ! Canada Loves you Portishead! Come back soon!
There were times where the hair on my arms stood straight up! The sound was amazing and one of the few concerts where I could actually hear the words. An amazing experience.
Definitely had some cool visual moments that made the concert more excited. Very good performance of their songs. Highly recommended to see it. Gave 4 stars, because of lack of engagement with the audience. It would've been more memorable if they interacted with the audience more than they did. Hope this helps! Cheers, S
After waiting more than a decade to see live the voice, the emotion, the soulfulness that defined my youth, I was overwhelmed by how amazing it actually was to stand in front of them. I felt as much as heard the set, it moved me deeply and was far better than I had imagined,and I had imagined it a hundred times. The show was superior to what the albums could capture. Rather than being a band that reveals itself to be largely production value when seen live, they instead showed how truly inadequate recordings were able to capture the intensity, skill and unity of the group, how well they know each other musically was obvious. The mix of old and new material was balanced and satisfying and left me wanting more. I wish I could go back and see it all again, it was that good. Ive seen a lot of live music and have been so fortunate to see many amazing shows Ive loved and longed for, this topped them all, completely magical in every way, hypnotizing really, Beth is a treasure and I hope she felt that from the audience, because I know I wasn't the only one who had waited to see her and was overjoyed at finally getting to bask in her talent.
What a fantastic show! They were on my list to see FOREVER. So thrilled i finally got to see Portishead, as it seems almost rare to be able to say that. That unique sound that makes them one of a kind band and that captured us in their albums, was absolutely spot on all night. Beth Gibbons' voice...so tragic and beautiful at the same time. What range. Every note she hit tugged on emotions you may have felt at some point in your life, or just discovered for the first time. She was open, vulnerable, soft, and at one point...even channeling some anger through one of her songs, almost reminiscent of Bjorg. An emotion not too familiar with classic Portishead fans, but even as she screamed her lyrics out, it couldn't help but to come out tragically poetic. With the background screen extended top to bottom, and all away across the entire length of the stage, we were truly treated to a masterful piece of visual images(almost like watching a movie) complimenting their classic trip hop sounds that touched all your senses available. This, along with the perfectly chosen hue of lights for their songs (purple, blue, red,) made for a unique experience. This was especially felt during their third song, "Cowboys", in which they slowed down ever so slightly with the base beat, seemingly pulling you in with them. Jason Fine on the guitar had almost a bluesy style completely in sync with the base beat. Was fantastic. Without a doubt, "Glory Box" is a favorite for most Portishead fans...and they did not disappoint! Again, they seemed to slow the beat down ever so slightly here, to really draw us in. Best moment was towards the end when the song reaches it apex for drum as she leads it into it with, "for this is the beginning of forever.."..which the band really gave her with heavy drums and guitar...only to stop it abruptly as it settled back into the soft classic beat of Gory Box, and Beth resuming with "I'm so tired...of waiting...waiting for a broken arrow...etc". The PNE forum for a show has fantastic sound, believe it or not! I think it's the "barn" like roof structure that lends itself to good acoustics. Smashing Pumpkins was also great there. Similar to a highschool gym,but once inside, we felt like we were at a club, with bleacher seating up along the sidewalls, where we sat, and it's a great view as you are high enough row to row. I can't imagine there was more than 2000-3000 people there. Nice intimate setting for Portishead. :) Opening act: Quite simply, whoever the opening act was...sucked. We were forced to listen to 2 guitar players and s drummer going off on one big solo for 35 minutes essentially, with no distinction between songs. Alot of build up, with no finish. Apparently they played about 5 different songs. No lead singer, just a back up singer/guitarist. Tough to back up yourself. lol I heard a few fans even yelling, "Play a song!"
Beth Gibbon's voice is overwhelming, the band was tight as could be (except some minor sound problems at the end), and the venue was good (however, the "beer enclosure" policy was a tad annoying...)
This was my first Portishead concert and they did not disappoint! The band was super tight and the vocals were fresh and perfect. The only thing that wasn't great was the venue, the PNE Forum. It feels like a huge converted barn with concrete floors. By the end of the night my feet, knees, and back were aching. But I'd go there again if the band was as good Portishead - haha!
If you first heard of Portishead almost 20 years ago like me, you know how unique and rare this act is with only 3 studio albums and a very captivating voice of a lead singer who seem to only get better by passing of time. And finally here they are on a proper world tour, and what a performance, great set list, simple and clear set design, perfect sound. for me Portishead is on of the most avant-gaurd and progressive acts of the past two decades, with a sound that will always always stay in your head. really two thumbs up!
Great show, however I wouldn't call a single song record an EP and sell it for $15. This caused a bit of dissappointment when I got home and listened to it.
A few minor amp issues didn't diminish Portisheads performance in the slightest! I am always amazed at the vocals that burst from Beth Gibbons wee body. Many moments of huge erruptions of delight from the crowd+the best version of Wandering Star I've heard. Highlight for those in front would have been Beth's handshakes+ the odd autograph during the final number, Carry On. Amazing show!
I had high expectations for Portishead and they gave me what I was hoping for and more! A truly incredibly live act!! Hopefully I get another chance to see them live this lifetime!!
They sounded amazing! It was very packed so couldn't get the best view of the set.
Beth Gibbons has the most memorable, hauntingly beautiful voice. The performance was fantastic with a great band who play so well together. You could feel the bass run through you, the visual and light show all added to the amazing show. Beth jumped into the crowd after the show to say hi to the fans, the band finished their beers and look genuinely happy to be performing together. Portishead is definitely a band to see live, the sound and experience is beyond what can be represented on a cd. The only downside is the venue. The Sound Academy in Toronto has terribly rude security, $20 parking and a long flat venue to try and watch the band. It's worth the trouble to see Portishead or a band just as amazing.
It could have been wonderful but it was not. Portishead played for 75 minutes and they left the stage for the encore?? The sound was good but the songs themselves weren't - only 2 good songs all night and a bewildering mix. The crowd never did get into it, the band never engaged the crowd. So much talent and wasted on this poor performance. trust me that I loved their cd's but it just didn't translate to the stage. Too bad, really!
It was a fabulous show. They sounded amazing and played all of my favourite songs. The sound at the venue was great and the band's visuals were great too. We had a great time!
I honestly couldn't believe I was seeing Portishead at this venue! Epic is one way to describe it. The visuals projected on the screen behind them, the precision of the music and Beth Gibons' voice. Just incredible!! The only negative I can share is being part of the crowd on the floor...you better find a spot where you're not part of a path. Stick to the middle of the room or try and go early to find a spot close to the stage. Overall though a very cool venue.
Great show. Fantastic voice. Beth Gibbons is extraordinary. One of the best acts of the 90s.
This was certainly one of the best shows I've been to in years! Nothing short of superb! Even though it was at the Sound Academy (not one of the best places to see a show in TO), the fact that the band put on a flawless set, made me forget where I was seeing them. A good healthy mix of material from their first album, Dummy, and the latest album, Third, coupled with the fact that these guys haven't toured in years made this an incredible show. I'm really looking forward to their new material and hope they come back through Toronto again.
Portishead themselves, were exceptional and amazing. My problem was with the venue and audience. I knew what to expect in terms of the Sound Academy with venue layout. Considering this was a sold out event, I expected craziness. However with the calibre of the band I expected a crowd that was mature in general nature. I've been to Sound Academy before and never left satisfied with the sound. I found Portishead extremely gracious for all the feedback problems I was hearing. The crowd; my friend got elbowed in the face, I had a guy grind me after many attempts to be polite and try to create space out of an impossible situation, even move... we were met with constant rudeness. People shoving, dirty looks, I got sneezed on and pushed so many times. I finally gave up and left to the patio to listen outside.
