Tricky, Manchester Club Academy
Posted 24th Feb 2009 in Live Reviews, Tricky by Martin Guttridge-Hewitt | Manchester Club Academy | 
You could be forgiven a double-take when Tricky walks on stage topless. An original innovator of the Bristol (dare it be said) trip-hop scene, his reputation for performances in the dark and notoriety for run-ins with over zealous journalists precedes him. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, an air of close-to-arrogant comfort is obvious in the artist when he takes to the intimate stage of the Club Academy. It is less surprising to see the amber cherry of a 'jazz cigarette' in his hand. This new found confidence on stage mirrors the accessibility of 'Knowle West Boy'. It would seem a dark cloud has turned a lighter grey. Both classics and new material are performed with an impressive energy that renders any member of the audience hooked, regardless of their preference for 'Maxinquaye' or 'Pre Millenium Tension'.
Proper rock star entertainment is exhibited during Public Enemy's 'Black Steel', when security enforce the smoking ban. A decision that, coupled with a forced curfew of 11pm, proves enough for the artist to declare: "I'm sorry, but I'm not playing here again."
From 'Council Estate' to 'Tricky Kid', the defining combination of whispered, at times disturbing, unnerving and intimidating lyricism blended with the beauty of the female response proves as timeless as ever. As entertaining as you could ask for, he may be more at ease with his public front but the bad boy swagger remains.
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