Portishead commemorates 25 years of ‘Roseland NYC Live’ with special reissue

Music news

The band celebrates the 25th anniversary of their legendary live album, Roseland NYC Livewith reissue in CD and vinyl format.

In July 1997 the British group, Portishead, filled the Roseland Ballroom of New York with one of the most captivating performances of the 90s. The concert crossed the presence of Beth Gibbons, Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley with the instrumentalization of a complete string and wind orchestra. 25 years after the premiere of his live capture, Roseland NYC Live It will be reissued in CD and vinyl format to revive the enigmatic recital.

To ensure that the new material retains the aura that Portishead evoked during the original concert, Beth Gibbons and Adrian Utley were in charge of reviewing the production process of Roseland NYC Live 25. Additionally, they included recordings of tracks as “Undenied”, “Numb.” and “Western Eyes”which were not previously part of the original live edition of the album, completing the experience a quarter of a century since it took place.

When listening Roseland NYC Live 25 keeps fresh a memory of the energy that characterizes Portishead. This reissue turns the powerful voice of Gibbons and gives the impression of suspending time by emphasizing the instrumentalization of the orchestra that coexists with the compositions of art-rock of Barrow and Utley.

I have always treasured the memory of this Show, which we played before the release of our second album. “That was the first time the audience heard the new songs and we took that into account when putting together this concert,” said Adrian Utley about Roseland NYC Live.

The remastering of Roseland NYC Live is available on platforms streaming from November and will be available in physical forms starting April 26. The new edition will contain a double LP in red and a special cover as a poster. The voice of Portishead, Beth Gibbons, also expects the release of his first solo album in May. The title of this new musical project will be Lives Outgrown and it promises to be the artist’s most intimate album.

We share the digital version of Roseland NYC Live 25 to make the wait for its release in physical form less burdensome.

Staff

Written by

Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson is a dedicated writer and key contributor to the WECB website, Emerson College's student-run radio station. Passionate about music, radio communication, and journalism, Christopher pursues his craft with a blend of meticulous research and creative flair. His writings on the site cover an array of subjects, from music reviews and artist interviews to event updates and industry news. As an active member of the Emerson College community, Christopher is not only a writer but also an advocate for student involvement, using his work to foster increased engagement and enthusiasm within the school's radio and broadcasting culture. Through his consistent and high-quality outputs, Christopher Johnson helps shape the voice and identity of WECB, truly embodying its motto of being an inclusive, diverse, and enthusiastic music community.