Tricky played at the Paard (The Hague, NL) in a beautifully dark setting, with the stage remaining almost entirely in shadow throughout the evening. Only once did the lights briefly come up, a moment that perfectly highlighted the atmosphere of a set built around tension, mystery and intimacy.
The performance moved effortlessly between dark electronic textures and heavier rock passages, showcasing the contrast that has always been part of Tricky’s unique sound. While four songs from his masterpiece Maxinquaye were naturally among the evening’s highlights, he also demonstrated how strong his later material remains, often following those classics with more recent songs carrying a similar emotional weight and intensity.
Overall, it was a beautiful concert, at times sweet, at times raw. More than thirty years after helping define trip hop alongside Massive Attack and Portishead, Tricky is standing still.
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