WORDS AND IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA
The Act 1.5 presents… Massive Attack concert at M&S Bank Arena Liverpool on Friday, November 29, was a night to remember, packed with energy, political statements, and emotional highs. The haze in the arena gave a mystic feel, and as the rumoured 9,000-strong crowd gathered in anticipation, Massive Attack made their entrance as the second act in the Act 1.5 Climate Action Accelerator event. With a mission to showcase sustainability in action—powered by 100% renewable energy and serving plant-based food—this event aligned perfectly with Liverpool’s status as the world’s first UN Accelerator City for climate action.
After a DJ set set the tone for the cold evening, the atmosphere shifted when the lights went down. Massive Attack’s performance began with LED screens displaying bizarre headlines—delivered in robotic monotones—that set the mood for what would become an introspective, politically charged, and visually stunning experience.
Opening with “Risingson”, Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall took to the stage, accompanied by a live band. Del Naja expressed pride at performing in Liverpool, which the crowd met with roaring applause. The arrival of reggae legend Horace Andy was another highlight, with the first notes of “Girl I Love You” filling the air, accompanied by thought-provoking messages and images that reflected on identity, consumerism, and society’s values.
Elizabeth Fraser, the former Cocteau Twins vocalist, brought a hauntingly beautiful contrast with her performance of “Black Milk”, her ethereal voice set against hard-hitting visuals depicting the devastation of war in Gaza and Ukraine. It was a poignant reminder of the cruelty of conflict, and Fraser’s performance felt like a lament for lost lives and broken futures.
The Scottish hip-hop group Young Fathers brought a fresh energy to the stage, performing a set including “Gone”, “Minipoppa”, and “Voodoo in My Blood”. The shift in tone was striking, yet seamless, and it felt like the concert was as much a celebration of collaboration as it was a showcase of Massive Attack’s powerful message.
Fraser returned to deliver an emotionally charged cover of Tim Buckley‘s “Song to the Siren”, which led into the familiar rhythm of “Inertia Creeps”—a fan favourite that drew another wave of cheers. The pace shifted once again with a thundering rendition of Ultravox‘s “Rockwrok”, followed by the soul-soothing “Angel”, a personal favourite for many, and it did not disappoint in its live rendition.
As the night progressed, the political overtones grew stronger. Del Naja’s dedication of the next song to the Palestinian people, paired with his cutting statement against the Tories, underscored the band’s long-standing activism. The performance of “Safe From Harm”, accompanied by statistics about the ongoing Gaza conflict, was a sobering moment in the set, and a reminder of the band’s commitment to using their platform to promote awareness of global injustices.
The crowd’s excitement peaked during “Unfinished Sympathy”, one of Massive Attack’s most iconic songs, as phones lit up across the arena, capturing the magic of the moment. “Karmacoma” and the soulful “Teardrop” followed, alongside an unexpected cover of Avicii, before the set culminated in the explosive “Group Four”.
What followed was nothing short of cinematic—a rapid-fire sequence of jarring, contrasting images flashing on screen, reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange. It was a visceral critique of modern media, consumerism, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. For many, including myself, this was the emotional climax of the evening, a sobering reminder of the overwhelming amount of stimuli we face daily, and how easily we lose ourselves in the noise.
Without an encore, Massive Attack left the stage as they had arrived—quietly and purposefully, leaving the audience in deep thought and awe. It was not just a concert, but an immersive experience that highlighted the power of music as a tool for reflection, protest, and change. For a band that has always championed individuality and free thinking, this performance at Act 1.5 was a masterclass in using art to confront the harsh realities of the world.
SET LIST:
1/ RISINGSON
2/ GIRL I LOVE YOU
FOLLOW MASSIVE ATTACK
