Should We Buy Tickets for Massive Attack??
I think it's hard sometimes being Gen X. We remember the days in the same way boomers remember the days - both generations have the curse of recalling music in a different form to the way it is now - analogue, for one, that warm crackle sound of vinyl, or more portable cassette tapes that would get stuck in your car stereo and you'd have to wind the ribbon back on with a pencil and sometimes even carefully splice it with sticky tape. But music also felt alternative and accessible - it was exciting because it was a different energy to what your parents listened to, or perhaps the hated mainstream would listen to on popular radio stations, and it was cheap to go and see live gigs in small intimate venues.
I try not to fall into the trap of being stuck in decades where music spoke to me so sharply that it was etched on my whole being, because there is a lot of fantastic music out there if you search in the right places. It's hard though, not to be cynical - music picked up by record labels and algorithms can be seriously pushed at you so that you have no choice but to listen to what everyone's listening to.
I do love Tom Waits, but not sure what I think of this new song with Massive Attack.
And don't even get me started on how much it costs to see a band these days. We used to (god, I feel old saying this, but there's plenty of Gen Xers here that will lament with me - hands up in the comments please) see bands for around $10 to $20 in Melbourne in small venues that would now cost a small fortune and be advertised now at big arenas and cost you hundreds of dollars. For example, I wanted to go see the last Nick Cave concert (I mean, I had seen him six times before since 1990, but he's that good) and a ticket would have cost us $600 for the two of us. I was tempted by seeing the trio of guitarists John Butler, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper but the tickets were $500. Ouch. Who can afford such things? Not us.
Just absolutely stunning. The paranoia in the film clip is amazing. Definitely an anthem of the '90's Brit electro scene. Love you love you love you love you...
Arguably, I'm so old that most concerts are past my bedtime anyway. I'm always begging my son to put on a matinee gig for his mate's band Faxman which he plays guitar and mixes for, you know, a start at 4 pm so I can be in bed by 9 kinda thing.
But I was tempted by going to see Massive Attack in Melbourne. Tickets go on sale on Thursday. Mezzanine is one of the best albums every made, imho - every time we put it on the record player we're reminded why. Tickets are $179 for the best seated tickets, and $99 for general standing. They'll sell out ridiculously fast - I'd have to go online and have my finger on the trigger. But I have to ask whether I'd really want to go and join the masses in Melbourne to go see them, or just turn them up loud in my loungeroom. After all, that's a day's work to pay for the tickets.
Yep, I'm getting old, perhaps. Jamie argues he'd rather see them in Bristol, where they hail from. But what are the chances of them playing when we are in the UK? Big gamble.
Maybe our gig days are over. I've seen enough live music to last many life times over.
Or maybe I'm just being Gen X lame.
Fuck though, they were that good I'm going for four tracks. I don't think @ablaze will mind for his #threetunetusday. v
With Love,

Hm honestly, it's not even about being old at all. I say the same thing about only a few years ago. Especially with the local bands I go to frequently or festival tickets. Huuuuge surge in pricing over the last few years, at least here. Maybe it's been longer in other places.
I know yyou don't like crowds. I'm sure Massive Attack would be great. But honestly, it doesn't sound like a fuck yes from you, so maybe the money's better spent in some other way?
As you said, you've seen plenty of great gigs in your life, so would missing this one be the worst thing? (and yeah, I know you said you missed others over the prices and all, but you know what I mean).
Hope whatever you decide is the right call.
Ps: had the tremendous luck of seeing Nick Cave for the first time this weekend - what an amazing night. Utterly mind blown. So happy to have got the chance.
Omfg you saw St Nick!!! Isn't he just incredible - I'm going to say it... I TOLD YOU!!!
Thankfully they are sold out now so decision is made...
All for the better. Maybe it wasn't meant to be :) You did tell me, and gotta say you did not exaggerate one bit. Terrific.
I actually sold one of my old cars with an old Fleetwood Mac tape stuck in the stereo. It was 'Rumours' and one of my favourite albums. I still think about it today.
Oh we have that on vinyl!
😃
"Mezzanine" is good, but my "Blue Lines" CD is almost worn out, I think, I've played it so much... 😂 Personally, instead of battling social anxiety to stand with a crowd at $99, I'd rather invest the money into buying some of their albums (or the solo albums by some of the band members, like Shara Nelson, and Tricky). But, that's just me... 🤷♀
that's a great idea. Our vinyl Mezzanine definitely needs replacing and we also have a great Massive Attack and Mad Professor that's our absolute fave that's seen better days.
Music is music. I know I liked what I liked, and it was not what my parents like. I would be surprised if the younger generations like it either.
We like what we like so if you want to go, then go.
You have seen heaps of bands live as have in our lifetimes. We age and priorities change but we still do what makes us have fun... Massive attack in crowds or catching a swell. Take your pick hehe and as for these generation labels, why does everything have to get a fluffimg label. You aren't Gen Z so you can't like this .... Aye right, as The Animals sang "It's my life and I'll do what I want"
Yeaaaah you are so right. I'll do what I want. Thankfully though they sold out so I'll pass hahaha ... Decision out of my hands. Now if Orbital played that's a completely different decision...
I wish I could tell you they sold out because I got you a few, but that's not the case. :) I do not hesitate to buy tickets if it is something that I like. While the event happens once, and is only really a few hours of entertainment, the anticipation and the future memory of it make up the price of entry.
If I want my life to seem full and longer, I should fill it with as many strong memories as I can, so I try not to hesitate from doing that.
Yeah but I'm ten years or so ahead of you in the mems and they were cheaper back in the old days....