Bristol-born musician Tricky is a fascinating phenomenon. Throughout his sixteen year career as a solo artist (and member of Massive Attack for years before that) he has smashed musical stereotypes and helped pioneer the trip-hop movement that helped define the 90s.
So what’s he up to now? He has just released his ninth studio album ‘Mixed Race‘ and he’s hitting the road in support of it. I can’t quite explain why though.
Last night as the band entered the stage, Tricky directed them through an instrumental version of ‘You Don’t Wanna‘ from 2002’s ‘Blowback‘ while he waved his hands around. At first he seemed interested, but quickly retreated to the keyboard player in the background, spending much of his time on stage with his back to the audience.
His biggest hit, ‘Black Steel‘ - a Public Enemy cover - was halted halfway through as Tricky’s vocal part was due to hit.
The band truly bewildered the audience, most of whom were really trying hard to get into it, with a ten minute cover of Motorhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades’, sang over and over and over and over and over by Franky Riley while Tricky pulled a bunch of people who couldn’t dance onto the stage... and shared a joint with them.
After a rough version of Massive Attack’s ‘Karmacoma’, once again led by Franky Riley, I’d seen enough. I lasted an hour, and that was longer than some.
On record Tricky is one of the most interesting artists of the last twenty years. On stage is he one of the least.
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Check out the Undercover interview with Foals below:
