Massive Attack, the UK’s ‘trip-hop’ pioneers, bring their haunting and hypnotic fusion of hazy beats, dub, hauntingly soulful melodies and choice samples to Australia this March. For the first time in this region, all patrons purchasing tickets for Massive Attack's Australian and New Zealand dates will receive a copy of their much anticipated new album Heligoland at no extra cost.
Founding members Robert Del Naja (3D) and Grant Marshall (Daddy G) will be joined on tour by vocalists Horace Andy, Deborah Miller, Martina Topley-Bird, and band members Damon Reece (drums), Angelo Bruschini (guitar), John Baggott (keyboards), Winston Blissett (bass) and Julien Brown (drums).
Massive Attack formed out of Bristol’s legendary DJ collective The Wild Bunch in 1988, releasing their debut single Daydreaming two years later, with Shara Nelson and Tricky on vocals. The soaring Unfinished Sympathy with its iconic one-take video followed, as did Safe From Harm, again featuring Nelson, all lifted from their enduring classic and critically acclaimed debut album, Blue Lines.
The chilled-out Protection followed in ‘94, with singles Karmacoma, Sly and the title track featuring Everything But The Girl’s Tracey Thorn, the album winning Massive Attack the Brit Award for Best Dance Act. The group’s darker third album Mezzanine, featuring Teardrop – vocals by Liz Fraser (Cocteau Twins) – and Inertia Creeps, won the Q Award for Best Album and a nomination for Mercury Music Prize.
Supporting Massive Attack on tour, as well as appearing on stage with them, is Martina Topley-Bird. Martina came to the fore providing the feminine touch on Tricky’s landmark album Maxinquaye, plus three follow-up albums, her eerie soft vocals contrasting with Tricky’s menacing mutterings. She also features on lead vocals on two new Massive Attack tracks, Babel and Psyche.
A free copy of Massive Attack’s new album Heligoland is included with every Reserved ticket sold.