SPILL LIVE REVIEW: BETH GIBBONS @ MASSEY HALL, TORONTO

BETH GIBBONS

@ MASSEY HALL, TORONTO

APRIL 6, 2025

Massey Hall was buzzing with electric vibes and contagious excitement last night as the concert-going crowd anticipated Beth Gibbons, on the only Canadian stop on her solo debut tour supporting the Lives Outgrown album. Afterall, it had been nearly 15 years since Toronto last saw Gibbons perform, when her band, Portishead, blessed the city with two nights at Sound Academy.

Two highlights from this evening’s performance were particularly noteworthy: Gibbon’s songwriting prowess continues to impress, as evidenced by her 2024 release, Lives Outgrown, which featured prominently on several year-end best-of lists. Additionally, her iconic voice retains its beautifully moving and delicate quality, yet it seems as strong as ever.

While frequently stepping out of the spotlight, Gibbon’s voice and songs were exactly what the audience needed. The setlist mirrored the rest of the tour, featuring all 10 tracks from Lives Outgrown. To recreate the album’s sound, Gibbons was supported by a seven-piece band which included Eoin Rooney, Emma Smith, Tom Herbert, Jason Hazeley, Howard Jacobs and Richard Jones. Jacobs stood out, skillfully playing multiple instruments throughout the night, including clarinet, baritone sax, flute, guitar, and even contributing backing vocals.

LIVES OUTGROWN ALBUM REVIEW

The opening notes of “Floating On A Moment” elicited early applause from the audience, followed by one of Gibbon’s gracious smiles and a modest ‘thank you’. Another standout was the atmospheric “Oceans”, a song reflecting emotional fatigue with the world, resonating deeply with the current times. This was succeeded by the deep cut “Tom The Model” from 2002’s Out of Season, whose retro big band style had heads bobbing and garnered some of the night’s loudest cheers.

Closing out the set were the lush, warm sounds of “Whispering Love”, which led to one of a handful of standing ovations. Gibbons, again full of smiles and gratitude, put each of her hands at the side of her shaking head as if trying to process the astonishing amount of appreciation before her. This standing ovation would continue as her band returned for the encore and as the first keys struck to start “Roads”, a Portishead tune, that was enough to bring the house down. Everything about this version sounded as good, if not better, than its original release nearly 30 years ago. The show ended with the chaotic “Reaching Out” for a night that most will never forget.

(Photography by Jason Fitzpatrick)

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