I was lucky enough to see Portishead once, at one of their most famous gigs. It’s a concert I think about often and am lucky enough to be able to relive any time I put the recording on. So, of course, I was beyond excited when the news that Beth Gibbons, the haunting voice behind the iconic trip-hop sound, was touring the States behind her debut solo album, Lives Outgrown, and that she would perform at The Anthem.
From the opening notes at The Anthem on March 30, it was clear that the evening would be a unique one. Gibbons, dressed in an understated black ensemble, took the stage with her seven-piece band, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Her voice — fragile yet powerful — commanded the audience’s attention throughout the night’s 13-song set.
Throughout the performance, Gibbons appeared somewhat reserved as she stood dead center near the front of the stage, alternating between singing and turning her back to the audience. There were no grand gestures and little banter with the crowd — just an intimate experience between the artist and her audience.
The setlist featured all of her album’s 10 tracks, along with two from her collab with Rustin Man and a single Portishead song. Of the new material, the haunting strings of “Floating on a Moment” and Middle Eastern orchestration of “Rewind” stood out on the night. Her performance of “Roads” during the encore left everyone in a collective state of awe.
Watch the official music video for “Floating on a Moment” by Beth Gibbons on YouTube:
While Gibbons’ voice is the centerpiece of her performances, her band played an equally vital role. The musicians, though largely in the background, added an extra layer of depth and complexity to the Lives Outgrown material, really bringing those songs to life and supporting her voice perfectly.
Cass McCombs opening slot got the evening off to a great start. I’d seen him once before, opening for Jenny Lewis in 2023, and I was honestly in awe of his performance. His music is a potent mix of Elliott Smith, Kurt Vile, and Bill Callahan, and he held my full attention for the duration of his performance. He’s opening for Destoyer on his fall tour (Oct. 14 at the Black Cat!), so make sure you get there early for those shows.
Setlist:
Tell Me Who You Are Today
Burden of Life
Floating on a Moment
Rewind
For Sale
Mysteries (Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man cover)
Lost Changes
Oceans
Tom the Model (Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man cover)
Beyond the Sun
Whispering Love
Encore:
Roads (Portishead song)
Reaching Out
Here are some photos of Beth Gibbons and Cass McCombs performing at The Anthem on March 30, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.
Cass McCombs
