Portishead — who last performed together in 2022 at the Help! A War Child Benefit Concert in Bristol, their first show in seven years — have reappeared again with a new in-studio performance of “Roads.” The video was shown during Brian Eno’s Together for Palestine benefit concert, held September 17 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley.
The black-and-white clip, filmed at Bristol’s Cube Microplex, features Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley backed by a string quartet.
Barrow explained that while the group couldn’t be physically present at the concert, they “desperately wanted to be involved to put our voice to help end the ongoing genocide that is taking place right now.”
The band also issued a joint statement: “We are incredibly honoured to stand in solidarity with Palestine and be part of this crucial event. The genocide must stop.”
The Wembley concert — organized by Brian Eno alongside a host of artists and activists — raised money through ticket sales, merchandise and donations, with proceeds channeled via Choose Love to Palestinian-led organizations in Gaza.
Watch the performance of Roads below:
Since Portishead’s last tour in 2015, the members have largely pursued their own projects. Beth Gibbons released her stark 2019 recording of Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, as well as her long-anticipated solo album, Lives Outgrown, earlier this year. Geoff Barrow has kept up a steady pace with Beak>, whose most recent album >>> arrived in 2022, while Adrian Utley has remained active in film scoring and outside collaborations. Though the trio rarely reconvene under the Portishead name, their individual work has kept their influence in constant circulation.
Together for Palestine took place on September 17 at London’s OVO Arena Wembley, a 12,500-capacity benefit organized by Brian Eno alongside Khaled Ziada, Tracey Seaward, and actor Khalid Abdalla. Proceeds were directed through the charity Choose Love to Palestinian-led aid groups in Gaza, with the night combining live performances, speeches, poetr,y and visual art. Stage design came from Es Devlin in collaboration with Palestinian painter Malak Mattar.
For more on the benefit and how to support, visit the Together for Palestine official site
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