Review: Nev Pearce
Photography: Luke Petty

It’s been fourteen long years since Portishead last toured Australia—and sadly, that was the only time I ever got to see them live, despite being a fan for so many years.

The show was part of the Harvest Festival and turned out to be one of those unforgettable live experiences. Hearing Beth Gibbons’ unmistakably haunting vocals in person was absolutely mesmerizing. I considered myself incredibly lucky to be there—something I thought might never happen again.

Last year, Gibbons released her solo album Lives Outgrown, which quickly became one of my favourites. It brought me comfort during sleepless nights and some heavy times. The record connected with me on a deep, personal level. So when her tour was announced, I was beyond excited at the chance to see and hear her again—especially with the show being held at the grand Fortitude Music Hall, an incredible venue that has quickly become a go-to spot for major touring acts.

Support act for the evening, Kyle Lionhart, is a seasoned busker from Byron Bay. Lionhart has built a dedicated following over the years, with a sound often compared to the likes of Ben Harper and Matt Corby.

He began his set with “Celebrate the Rain”, setting a gentle, reflective tone, before surprising the crowd with a stripped-back, emotive cover of Cher’s “Believe.” Sharing a personal story about becoming a father, he introduced “Sunday Morning”—a tender song about holding on to life’s fleeting moments. That emotional thread continued with “Sweet Girl”, a tribute to his sister, before closing the set with “Making It Easy.”

Lionhart’s sincerity, easygoing presence, and lighthearted, candid banter between songs brought warmth to the room, easing the early crowd into the evening before the music shifted to a darker tone.

Bathed in red light and cloaked in thick fog, Beth Gibbons opened her set with “Tell Me Who You Are Today” from Lives Outgrown—a delicate track built on soft acoustic guitar and minimal instrumentation, allowing her unmistakable voice to take center stage and draw the audience into her world. She followed with “Burden of Life” and “Floating on a Moment”, continuing the spellbinding atmosphere.

While Gibbons remained hidden in the shadows of the stage lighting, her presence filled the room—her voice powerful, haunting, and captivating, rich with raw emotion and depth, and still sounding incredible after all these years.

Her seven-piece band showcased a diverse range of instruments—including keyboards, violins, drums, guitars, percussion, a fluorescent whirly tube used at the start of “Rewind”, and a curious owl-like instrument—bringing the sounds of the record to life in a way that was incredibly moving to experience, especially with the world music influences in songs like “For Sale” and “Beyond the Sun.”

Her set also explored deeper cuts from her discography, including “Mysteries” and “Tom the Model” from her collaborative album with Rustin Man—tracks that bridge the emotional and sonic evolution from her days in Portisheadto her latest work, Lives Outgrown.

It’s easy to see why her music has been revered and reinterpreted by artists across genres, even within the metal community. When these songs are heard together, they reveal a haunting intensity and raw vulnerability that transcends category—unifying elements that resonate regardless of musical background.

After finishing “Whispering Love”, Beth and her band briefly left the stage, only to return for an encore featuring two Portishead classics—“Roads” and “Glory Box”—before closing the night with “Reaching Out.” It was a fitting finale that tied together her past and present, leaving the audience in awed silence before erupting into applause.

It may have been a long fourteen-year wait to see her again, but Beth Gibbons more than made up for the time that had passed. Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary—easily one of my all-time favourite live shows. I can only hope it won’t be too long before she returns, because I’ll be there without question—and I know I won’t be the only one.

Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown Tour
Thursday 5 June – Dark Mofo, Odeon Theatre | Hobart, TAS*