On September 23rd, I got the incredible chance to see Tricky perform live at the Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix. As an avid trip-hop fan I was looking forward to seeing one of the pioneers of the genre, and I wasn’t the only one- it was a sold out show!
I arrived about an hour early due to some confusion with the show’s start time, and watched the room fill up with anticipation. Crescent Ballroom had a taco stand out front, and delicious drinks at the bar. They had a balcony with a view of downtown Phoenix as well as a patio, which I explored while waiting for the show to start. It was my first time going to a show at this venue, and I was surprised to see rows of seats, bleachers-style, alongside the typical standing area/pit. I thought this was a nice touch, and the highest levels definitely had one of the best views in the house. The venue slowly filled as the show got closer and closer, and when the lights dimmed the room went silent and we watched the band come out.
There was no opener for the night, which surprised me! The show was spotlighted by blue lights, adding a quiet and melancholic atmosphere to the slow, psychedelic electronica of the night.
There was a memorable moment during the first song of the show, I’m Not Going, where a disrespectful audience member shined a camera light in Tricky’s face – he grabbed the phone and tossed it away to cheers from the audience, and coolly continued singing. As I continued to enjoy the set, I was struck by the gorgeous blend of electric guitar, synths, and vocals. Tricky is a master at his work, and the two vocalists on stage were equally impressive- Marta Złakowska and Mitch Sanders. Złakowska’s haunting voice mixed perfectly with the psychedelic instrumentals and Sanders’ powerful vocals.
I really enjoyed the overall concert and vibe. It was an older crowd, and the appreciation for Tricky and his work was felt. People swayed, danced together, or just enjoyed the music with their eyes closed while the bass rippled through the room.
This was a great opportunity to listen to a pioneer of trip-hop, especially as someone who’s been dipping my toes into the genre. Tricky is an OG and seeing him on stage, killing it and lighting a cigarette on the stage between songs was an incredible experience!
Thank you to everyone at co-sign who made this possible!